Of the following states of matter, which one assumes the shape of the container, will typically expand when heated, and has no independent shape?

The correct answer is that a liquid assumes the shape of its container, expands when heated, and lacks a fixed shape. Liquids are unique in that they can flow and take the form of whatever vessel they occupy, which distinguishes them from solids that have a defined shape and volume. When heated, liquids generally expand due to increased molecular movement, which causes the molecules to occupy more space. This thermal expansion is characteristic of most liquids, though the degree of expansion can vary depending on the substance.

Gases also assume the shape of their container and expand when heated, but they have the additional characteristic of filling the entirety of their container, regardless of size. Solids maintain their shape regardless of their surroundings, and plasma, while it can behave like a gas, consists of ionized particles and is not typically encountered under normal conditions on Earth. Therefore, the defining traits of liquids make them the correct choice in this context.