Determining phase from intermolecular interactions and kinetic energy If the energy of intermolecular attractions are much less than the average kinetic energy of the molecules, what is the physical state of the substance?
Most likely gas.

In fact, the definition of an ideal gas is a gas in which its molecules have no intermolecular interactions (except elastic collisions).

As the strength of intermolecular attraction increases, the molecules will be brought closer together. Molecules in liquids are much more densely packed than molecules in gases.