Use the table to answer the 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

Jasmine
Jasmine

Lucas
Lucas

Tasha
Tasha

Henry
Henry
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1 answer

To determine which student has the correct ranking of potential energies for the states of matter, we need to understand the general concept of potential energy in the context of states of matter.

Typically, the ranking of potential energy from lowest to highest among the three states of matter (gas, liquid, and solid) is as follows:

  • Gas: Lowest potential energy due to molecules being far apart and moving freely.
  • Liquid: Intermediate potential energy as molecules are closer together but still able to move around.
  • Solid: Highest potential energy because the molecules are tightly packed and held in fixed positions.

Now, let's look at the students' rankings:

  • Henry: gas, liquid, solid (correct)
  • Jasmine: gas, solid, liquid (incorrect)
  • Lucas: solid, gas, liquid (incorrect)
  • Tasha: solid, liquid, gas (incorrect)

Based on the above analysis, Henry has the correct ranking.

Thus, the correct response is:

Henry