In a solid, the particles are:

closely packed with strong attraction

The particles in a solid can:

only vibrate about fixed positions

a fixed shape and a fixed volume

Why does a solid keep its shape?

its particles are held in fixed positions by strong forces

Why can a liquid be poured but a solid cannot?

liquid particles can move past one another

Why do solids not flow?

their particles are locked in fixed positions

Particulate Nature of Matter — Class 8 MCQs with Answers

Class 8 CBSE Science · Chapter 7

72 practice questions · 24 Easy · 24 Medium · 24 Hard · Updated 19 Sep 2026

Practise the most important Class 8 CBSE Science questions from Chapter 7, "Particulate Nature of Matter". You get 9 timed quizzes made from 72 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 24 Easy, 24 Medium and 24 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that top scorers in CBSE Board exams get right.

To score well in "Particulate Nature of Matter", focus on clear concepts in physics, chemistry and biology basics. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This helps you stay accurate when time is short, just as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.

Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Particulate Nature of Matter, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 8 Science mastery score. 14 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.

Particulate Nature of Matter — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 8 Science)

14 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation.

Q1Easy
All matter is made up of:
A.one solid block
B.nothing
C.tiny particles✓ Correct
D.only air
Answer: C. tiny particles
Explanation: The particle model of matter says all substances are built from extremely tiny particles too small to see; matter is not one continuous solid block or empty space.
Q2Easy
In a solid, the particles are:
A.far apart
B.free to move anywhere
C.closely packed with strong attraction✓ Correct
D.not attracted at all
Answer: C. closely packed with strong attraction
Explanation: Solid particles sit close together and are held by strong attractive forces, unlike liquids (loosely packed) or gases (far apart with weak attraction).
Q3Easy
The particles in a solid can:
A.only vibrate about fixed positions✓ Correct
B.move around freely
C.fly in all directions
D.never move at all
Answer: A. only vibrate about fixed positions
Explanation: Strong attraction locks solid particles into fixed positions, so they can only vibrate in place rather than travel freely like liquid or gas particles.
Q4Easy
Gases can be compressed easily because their particles have:
A.no space at all
B.strong attraction
C.fixed positions
D.a lot of space between them✓ Correct
Answer: D. a lot of space between them
Explanation: The large interparticle spaces in a gas mean its particles can be pushed much closer together, so gases compress easily unlike solids or liquids.
Q5Easy
The basic building block of a substance is its:
A.constituent particle✓ Correct
B.container
C.shape
D.colour
Answer: A. constituent particle
Explanation: Every substance is built from a basic unit called its constituent particle; shape, colour and container are properties of the substance, not what it is made of.
Q6Easy
A solid has:
A.no fixed shape or volume
B.a fixed shape and a fixed volume✓ Correct
C.a fixed volume but no shape
D.a fixed shape but no volume
Answer: B. a fixed shape and a fixed volume
Explanation: A solid's tightly packed, fixed-position particles give it both a definite shape and a definite volume, unlike a liquid or a gas.
Q7Medium
Both solids and liquids have a fixed:
A.shape
B.colour
C.volume✓ Correct
D.container
Answer: C. volume
Explanation: Solids and liquids both keep a fixed volume because their particles stay close together; only a solid also keeps a fixed shape.
Q8Medium
Why does a solid keep its shape?
A.its particles move freely
B.it has no particles
C.its particles are held in fixed positions by strong forces✓ Correct
D.it is heated
Answer: C. its particles are held in fixed positions by strong forces
Explanation: Strong interparticle forces lock a solid's particles into fixed positions, so unlike a freely moving substance, its shape stays constant.
Q9Medium
Which state has the least space between particles?
A.solid✓ Correct
B.liquid
C.gas
D.all equal
Answer: A. solid
Explanation: Solids have the smallest interparticle spacing of the three states, which is why they resist compression.
Q10Medium
A liquid and a gas are alike in that both:
A.have a fixed shape
B.cannot be poured
C.are always solid
D.can flow✓ Correct
Answer: D. can flow
Explanation: Because their particles can move relative to one another, both liquids and gases can flow, unlike the fixed particles of a solid.
Q11Medium
Why can a liquid be poured but a solid cannot?
A.solid particles are lighter
B.liquids have no particles
C.solids are hotter
D.liquid particles can move past one another✓ Correct
Answer: D. liquid particles can move past one another
Explanation: Liquid particles are free to slide past one another, letting a liquid flow and be poured, while a solid's fixed-position particles cannot.
Q12Hard
The particle model treats each particle as extremely:
A.large and visible
B.small, not visible to the eye✓ Correct
C.alive
D.liquid
Answer: B. small, not visible to the eye
Explanation: The particle model describes matter as made of particles far too small to be seen by the eye, not large visible chunks.
Q13Hard
A substance has a fixed volume but no fixed shape. It is a:
A.liquid✓ Correct
B.solid
C.gas
D.vacuum
Answer: A. liquid
Explanation: Fixed volume paired with no fixed shape is the defining behaviour of a liquid, since its particles stay close but can move and take the container's shape.
Q14Hard
Why do solids not flow?
A.they have too few particles
B.their particles are locked in fixed positions✓ Correct
C.they are too light
D.they have no attraction
Answer: B. their particles are locked in fixed positions
Explanation: Strong attractive forces lock a solid's particles into fixed positions, so they cannot slide past one another the way liquid particles do, and the solid cannot flow.

Key concepts: Particulate Nature of Matter (Class 8 Science)

This chapter explains matter using tiny particles. All matter is made of extremely small constituent particles, with interparticle spaces between them and forces of attraction holding them together. How closely the particles are packed and how freely they move decides the state: in a solid they are tightly packed and only vibrate (fixed shape and volume); in a liquid they are a little farther apart and move within a limited space (fixed volume, no fixed shape); in a gas they are far apart and move freely (no fixed shape or volume, easily compressed). Heating gives particles energy, which drives melting, boiling and other state changes.

Particle nature of matter: All matter is made of extremely small constituent particles, too tiny to see, which are the basic building blocks of a substance.
Interparticle space: The gaps between particles. Sugar dissolving in water without changing its volume shows there is space between the water particles.
Forces of attraction: Particles are held together by forces of attraction, which are strongest in solids, weaker in liquids and weakest in gases.
Solid state: Particles are closely packed with strong attraction and only vibrate about fixed positions, so a solid has a fixed shape and a fixed volume and barely compresses.
Liquid state: Particles are a little farther apart and can move within a limited space, so a liquid has a fixed volume but no fixed shape and takes the shape of its container.
Gaseous state: Particles are far apart with weak attraction and move freely in all directions, so a gas has no fixed shape or volume, fills its container and is easily compressed.
Order across the states: From solid to liquid to gas, the force of attraction decreases while the space between particles and the freedom of movement increase.
Compressibility: Gases compress easily because of their large interparticle spaces, while liquids and solids are practically incompressible.
Effect of heat: Heating gives particles more energy so they move faster and spread apart; cooling slows them and brings them closer.
Change of state: Adding or removing heat changes how particles move and how far apart they are, causing melting, boiling, condensation and freezing — while the number of particles stays the same.
Mixing of particles: Because particles move, they spread and mix — which is why the smell of food or perfume travels across a room through the air.

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Particulate Nature of Matter — FAQs

What are the key concepts in Class 8 Science Particulate Nature of Matter?+

What does Class 8 Science Chapter 7 (Particulate Nature of Matter) cover on XamBaaz?+

It has 72 NCERT-based MCQs on "Particulate Nature of Matter": 24 Easy, 24 Medium and 24 Hard. Together they make 9 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams.

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Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Particulate Nature of Matter" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year. One year from the day you pay. You stay in Class 8 till 31 March; on 1 April your account moves up to Class 9 and the rest of your year carries over. No chapter is charged separately.

How should I revise "Particulate Nature of Matter" for the exam?+

Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 9 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.

Are these "Particulate Nature of Matter" MCQs available with answers?+

Yes. 14 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.

Is there negative marking in the "Particulate Nature of Matter" quizzes?+

Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.

What are the important questions from Particulate Nature of Matter (Class 8 Science)?+

The questions that matter most test Particle nature of matter, Interparticle space, Forces of attraction, Solid state, Liquid state, Gaseous state. This page shows 14 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations. Sign in to practise all 72 questions on the chapter as timed quizzes.

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Yes — Class 8 Science Particulate Nature of Matter has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.

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