Which state of matter has the lowest energy?

The state of matter that has the lowest energy is the Bose-Einstein condensate. This state occurs at temperatures that are very close to absolute zero, where a group of atoms is cooled to temperatures near 0 Kelvin. At these extremely low temperatures, a significant number of the atoms occupy the lowest quantum state, resulting in unique quantum phenomena.

In this state, the energy of the particles is minimized, allowing them to behave in a collective manner, almost like a single entity. This behavior is a manifestation of quantum mechanics, where individual particle properties become less distinguishable.

In comparison, solids have a more ordered structure than liquids and gases, with particles closely packed together, but they still possess more thermal energy than a Bose-Einstein condensate at absolute zero. Liquids and gases have higher energies because their particles are further apart and move more freely, which increases their kinetic energy. Therefore, while solids do have low energy relative to liquids and gases, they do not reach the extreme low energy state of a Bose-Einstein condensate.