What is the correct order of states of matter from least to greatest energy?

The correct order of states of matter from least to greatest energy is solid, liquid, and gas. In the solid state, particles are closely packed together in a fixed arrangement, resulting in low energy and minimal movement. As energy is added, solids can melt into liquids, where particles gain energy and become more mobile, allowing them to slide past one another while still remaining in close proximity. Further heating causes the liquid to evaporate into a gas, where particles have enough energy to break free from intermolecular forces and move independently, resulting in the highest energy state among the three.

This transition illustrates the concept of energy within states of matter: as energy increases, particles can move more freely, transitioning from solid to liquid to gas. Therefore, the selection that places solids first, followed by liquids, and then gases accurately represents this energy progression.