Which is the most important factor in determining the state (solid, liquid, or gas) of a substance?

• A. Color
• B. Molecular mass
• C. Temperature
• D. Volume

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the state of matter (solid, liquid, or gas) depends on how particles interact and move relative to each other.
2. Recognize that temperature affects the kinetic energy of particles, which influences whether particles are tightly packed (solid), loosely connected (liquid), or far apart (gas).
3. Consider that while molecular mass and volume can influence properties, they do not directly determine the state as strongly as temperature does.
4. Recall that color is a physical property related to light absorption and does not affect the state of matter.
5. Conclude that temperature is the most important factor because it controls the energy of particles, thus determining the phase of the substance.