Describe the arrangement and movement of particles in the three common states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. How do these differences account for their characteristic properties?

In solids, particles are tightly packed in fixed positions, vibrating about their mean positions, giving solids a definite shape and volume. In liquids, particles are less tightly packed and can slide past each other, allowing liquids to take the shape of their container but maintain a definite volume. 

In gases, particles are far apart, move randomly and rapidly, and have negligible intermolecular forces, leading to no definite shape or volume and high compressibility.