Which state of matter has the greatest average kinetic energy of its particles?

• A. Liquid
• B. Gas
• C. Plasma
• D. Solid

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance is directly related to its temperature and the freedom of movement of its particles.
2. Understand that in solids, particles are tightly packed and vibrate in fixed positions, so they have the lowest average kinetic energy among the states listed.
3. In liquids, particles have more freedom to move than in solids, so their average kinetic energy is higher than solids but less than gases.
4. In gases, particles move freely and rapidly in all directions, which means they have the highest average kinetic energy compared to solids and liquids at the same temperature.
5. Plasma is an ionized gas with even higher energy, but since it is not always considered in basic states of matter comparisons, the typical answer for greatest average kinetic energy among solid, liquid, and gas is gas.