The gallium in the image is melting in the person’s hand. Which changes will occur on a microscopic level?
(1 point)
Responses
A. The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average.
B. The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving freely from each other.
C. The gallium atoms will increase in temperature.
D. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy
A. The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average.
The correct answer is:
D. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.
When the gallium in the image melts in the person's hand, the thermal energy from the person's hand is transferred to the gallium. This causes the gallium atoms to gain kinetic energy, meaning they will move faster on average. As a result, the gallium atoms will transition from a solid state to a liquid state, where they are able to move more freely from each other. The increase in kinetic energy is what leads to the melting of the gallium, not an increase in temperature or potential energy.