Which state of matter typically has a fixed volume but takes the shape of its container?

The state of matter that typically has a fixed volume but takes the shape of its container is a liquid. In liquids, the particles are closely packed together, allowing them to maintain a definite volume. However, unlike solids, liquids do not have a fixed shape; they are able to flow and adapt to the shape of their container. This property is due to the fact that the particles can move around each other freely, which gives liquids the ability to conform to their surroundings while keeping their volume constant.

For context, gases do not have a fixed volume or shape; they expand to fill their container completely. Solids, on the other hand, have both a fixed volume and a fixed shape due to the strong forces holding their particles in place. Aerosols are suspensions of tiny solid or liquid particles in a gas, and their behavior is more complex compared to simple states of matter. Thus, the characteristic of a fixed volume with a shape that adapts to the container is uniquely attributed to liquids.