Question

Three forms of water are shown in this image: an iceberg, seawater, and clouds. Rank them according to the kinetic energy each form is likely to possess. Use 1 to represent the most kinetic energy, 2 to represent the middle range, and 3 to represent the least kinetic energy.

iceberg
seawater
clouds

Answer 1

1 — clouds
2 — seawater
3 — iceberg

Reason: for thermal (molecular) kinetic energy, gas-phase molecules (or tiny droplets and vapor in clouds) have the highest average translational motion, liquids are intermediate, and solids (ice) have the least because molecules are bound in a lattice and only vibrate. (If you meant bulk/macroscopic motion instead, the order could change depending on wind, currents, or iceberg drift.)