Liquids, a state of matter distinct from solids and gases, are characterized by their ability to flow and conform to the shape of their container. This characteristic implies that a liquid lacks a fixed form of its own. For instance, water poured into a glass will take the shape of the glass, and when poured onto a flat surface, it will spread out, adapting to the contours of that surface.
The absence of a defined form is a fundamental property that dictates the behavior of liquids in various applications. In industry, this malleability is essential for processes like molding and coating. Historically, the understanding of this property has been crucial in developing technologies such as hydraulics and fluid transport systems. Without this characteristic, many engineering marvels would not be possible.