Which of the following represents a characteristic of all matter?

The correct choice expresses that all matter must occupy space, which is a fundamental property of matter in physics. This characteristic is often referred to as having volume. Regardless of the state of matter—solid, liquid, or gas—everything classified as matter takes up an amount of space within a given environment. This principle is essential in understanding physical concepts related to density and the behavior of different materials.

In contrast to this, the other options fail to represent characteristics applicable to all matter. The idea that matter can be created and destroyed is inaccurate due to the law of conservation of mass, which states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a closed system. The notion that matter cannot exist in a gaseous state is plainly false, as gases are a widely recognized state of matter. Lastly, the assertion that matter always has a fixed position is incorrect because matter in liquid and gaseous states does not have a fixed position; instead, its molecules move freely, particularly in the case of gases, which fill their containers. Thus, the property of occupying space is universal to all matter, making it the correct answer.