Question

True or False? The molecules in a solid have *more* thermal energy than the molecules in a gas?

Answer 1

This is False.

Molecules in a gas have more thermal energy than molecules in a solid. Think about what you have to do to change a solid (like ice) into a liquid (like water) and then into a gas (like steam). You have to increase the temperature. That increase in heat results in more thermal energy in a gas.