The molecules of a liquid are packed less closely together than those in a solid. It takes the shape of a container. A solid's molecules are packed close together and stay in place. A solid has a definite shape. More discussion will continue as the teacher describes that some liquids become gases when heated.
Some solids can become liquids when heated.
Gases can become liquids when cooled. As the students described the items in each group, they learned more about solids, liquids and gases. They were able to tell why the paper towel did not get wet inside the beaker. They were able to tell what each property was for each item. As a solid, the property was a definite shape.