However, atoms of metals tend to have loose outer electrons. These electrons can move between atoms. This causes the metal to conduct electricity. The Liquid State Liquids have a fixed volume but take the shape of the container. In a liquid, the atoms move relative to one another but still stay close together.
Liquids can only exist for a limited temperature range.
For most temperatures it is either a solid or a gas. At low pressures, the range of temperature for a liquid to exist is smaller. That is why water boils at less than 100 O C at high altitudes. If the pressure is low enough, the liquid phase does not happen. This is further examined by using phase diagrams .