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 liquid. Liquids assume the shape of their container, which is a defining characteristic of this state of matter. Unlike solids, which maintain a fixed shape, liquids are able to flow and take on the contours of whatever vessel they occupy.

Additionally, liquids will typically expand when heated, although the extent of this expansion is generally less than that of gases. This property is important in various applications, such as in thermometers and engineering, where the behavior of liquids under temperature changes must be understood.

In contrast, gases also assume the shape of their container, but they differ from liquids in that they will expand to fill the entire volume of the container rather than just taking its shape. Solids maintain a definite shape and do not change based on the shape of the container, and vapors are often considered a specific state of gas formed from a substance that is liquid at room temperature. This understanding helps clarify why liquid is the correct choice in this context.