What is the Difference Between Liquid and Fluid?

The main difference between liquids and fluids lies in their states of matter and their compressibility. Here is a comparison of the two:

• Fluid: A fluid is a substance that can flow or deform continuously under the shear stress applied. It consists of both liquids and gases, and it can be compressible or incompressible depending on the substance. Fluids lack rigidity and cannot withstand shear force when applied to them. Examples of fluids include water, air, and nitrogen gas.
• Liquid: A liquid is a state of matter of a substance at temperatures and pressures intermediate between those of solids and gases. It has no definite form and assumes the shape of any container that holds it. Liquids have intermolecular forces that hold them together, giving them volume but no definite shape. They are relatively incompressible, meaning that squeezing them does not make them smaller in volume. Liquids are a subset of fluids, specifically incompressible fluids. Examples of liquids include water, oil, and juice.

In summary, fluids are substances that flow and can be gases or liquids, while liquids are a specific state of matter with no definite shape and are a subset of fluids. Not all fluids are liquids, but all liquids are fluids.

Comparative Table: Liquid vs Fluid

Here is a table highlighting the differences between liquids and fluids:

In summary, a liquid is a state of matter with a fixed volume but no definite shape, while a fluid is a substance that flows and takes the shape of its container, including both liquids and gases. All liquids are fluids, but not all fluids are liquids.