A supercritical fluid exhibits characteristics of which two states of matter?

A supercritical fluid uniquely possesses properties of both a liquid and a gas. In a supercritical state, a substance is subjected to conditions above its critical temperature and critical pressure, which allows it to exhibit behaviors that are characteristic of both phases.

From the liquid phase, a supercritical fluid retains the ability to dissolve substances similarly to a liquid solvent, making it effective for extraction processes and other applications. This solvating power is due to the high density of the supercritical fluid, which is closer to that of liquids.

On the other hand, from the gas phase, a supercritical fluid exhibits lower viscosity and the ability to fill a container completely, much like a gas does. This allows for enhanced mass transfer, which is advantageous in processes like chromatography.

Thus, the combination of these properties allows supercritical fluids to be versatile and useful in various chemical processes, including supercritical CO2 extraction. The defining nature of supercritical fluids comes from their ability to interlace characteristics of both liquid and gas, solidifying option C as the correct choice.