1. Gas: Gas particles have the highest average speed due to their weak intermolecular forces and large distances between them. They move freely and randomly, colliding frequently with each other and the walls of their container.
2. Liquid: Liquid particles have a higher average speed than solids, but lower than gases. They have stronger intermolecular forces than gases but weaker than solids, allowing them to move past each other, giving them fluidity.
3. Solid: Solid particles have the lowest average speed due to their strong intermolecular forces and fixed positions within the solid structure. They vibrate in place but do not have the freedom to move freely like liquids or gases.
Key takeaway: The higher the temperature, the faster the particles move in any state of matter.
