Use the table to answer the question.

Question

Student Name Potential Energy Rating (lowest to highest)
Henry gas, liquid, solid
Jasmine gas, solid, liquid
Lucas solid, gas, liquid
Tasha solid, liquid, gas
Four students rank the potential energies of some states of matter. Which student is correct?

(1 point)
Responses

Henry
Henry

Lucas
Lucas

Jasmine
Jasmine

Tasha

Answer 1

To determine which student is correct with their ranking of potential energy from lowest to highest for the states of matter (gas, liquid, solid), we should recall that typically:

• Gases have the highest potential energy because their molecules are far apart and have more freedom of movement.
• Liquids have intermediate potential energy since their molecules are closer together compared to gases but still able to move around each other.
• Solids have the lowest potential energy because their molecules are closely packed together and have limited movement.

Now let's analyze each student's ranking:

1. Henry: gas, liquid, solid

   • This ranking is incorrect. It should be solid, liquid, gas.

2. Jasmine: gas, solid, liquid

   • This ranking is incorrect. It should be solid, liquid, gas.

3. Lucas: solid, gas, liquid

   • This ranking is incorrect. It should be solid, liquid, gas.

4. Tasha: solid, liquid, gas

   • This ranking is correct. Solids have the lowest potential energy, liquids have intermediate, and gases have the highest potential energy.

So, the correct answer is Tasha.