Which phase of matter has the most kinetic energy?

Understand the Problem

The question is asking about the different phases of matter—solid, liquid, gas—and which one possesses the highest amount of kinetic energy. Typically, this requires an understanding of the behavior of particles in each phase.

More Information

Gas particles have the highest kinetic energy among the commonly known phases of matter (solid, liquid, gas). The particles in a gas are free to move rapidly due to low intermolecular forces.

Tips

Common mistake is thinking that liquids or solids might have higher kinetic energy due to their compact structure.

Sources

• What state of matter has the greatest amount of average kinetic energy? - quora.com
• Which state of matter has the most kinetic energy? - homework.study.com
• In which state of matter do molecules have the highest kinetic energy? - socratic.org