Which shows the potential energy of particles in three substances, from least to greatest?
liquid, solid, gas
liquid, gas, solid
solid, liquid, gas
gas, liquid, solid

Potential energy is the stored energy of an object. It is the energy by an object's position relative to other objects. Potential energy is often associated with restoring forces such as a spring or the force of gravity.

So among all the choices, gas, liquid, then solid shows the potential energy of particles in three substances, from least to greatest.

Option (d) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Potential energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its position.

For example, when a car is standing on a roadside then the car is at rest and therefore, it has potential energy as it is standing at one particular position.  

Whereas in a solid substance the molecules are held together by strong intermolecular forces. Thus, the molecules do not move from their place. Hence, there is maximum potential energy between the molecules of a solid.

In liquid, the distance between molecules is more as compared to solids because of less force of attraction between the molecules. Thus, potential energy of liquid is less than the potential energy of solid.

On the other hand, gases are held together by weak vander waal forces. Thus, molecules of gas show maximum movement and as a result, gas molecules have more kinetic energy. Hence, there will be least potential energy between the molecules of a gas.

Therefore, we can conclude that the potential energy of particles in three substances, from least to greatest is as follows.

                           gas < liquid < solid

b. a lightning bug, plug of grass, and a worm