In which state of matter do particles have the most energy?

In the state of plasma, particles possess the highest energy compared to other states of matter. This is primarily due to the significant amount of energy that has been supplied, which not only allows the particles to move freely but also to overcome the forces that typically hold them together. In a plasma, atoms are ionized, meaning that electrons are stripped from atoms, resulting in a mixture of free electrons and ions. The energy associated with these particles is so high that they can collide with enough force to ionize other atoms, leading to a state with high conductivity and responsiveness to electromagnetic fields.

In contrast, solids exhibit closely packed particles that vibrate in fixed positions, indicating lower energy levels. Liquids have more energy than solids, as their particles can move past one another and flow but do not have enough energy to completely break away from intermolecular attractions. Gases have particles that are well-separated and move freely; however, the particles in plasma are even more energetic than those in a gas due to the ionization of atoms. Thus, while gases have a higher energy state than solids and liquids, plasma's energy level surpasses all others, affirming why it is the correct answer in this context.