Final answer:
The order of increasing thermal expansion among solids, liquids, and gases is Solids, Liquids, Gases, because gases expand the most due to their weak intermolecular forces, while solids expand the least due to their strong intermolecular bonds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The order of increasing thermal expansion among solids, liquids, and gases when a given amount of thermal energy is added is Solids, Liquids, Gases (option b). This is because thermal expansion is the result of the increase in the kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules in a substance, and this effect is much more pronounced in gases due to their large intermolecular spacing and lower intermolecular forces. The substantial expansion of gases, moderate expansion of liquids, and lesser expansion of solids is reflected in the coefficients of thermal expansion for these states of matter. Solids, with their closely packed molecules and strong intermolecular forces, expand the least, liquids have an intermediate expansion, and gases, with weak intermolecular forces and large intermolecular spaces, expand the most when the same amount of heat is applied.