Question

The gallium in the image is melting in the person’s hand. Which changes will occur on a microscopic level? (1 point) Responses The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy. The gallium atoms will increase in temperature. The gallium atoms will increase in temperature. The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving freely from each other. The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving freely from each other. The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average.

Answer 1

When gallium melts in a person's hand, several changes occur on a microscopic level. The correct responses would include:

1. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy. - As the temperature of the gallium increases, the energy of the atoms increases, causing them to move more vigorously.

2. The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average. - As the kinetic energy of the atoms increases, the average speed at which they move increases as well.

Additionally, while it may not be as commonly stated in the context of melting, it can be inferred that:

3. The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving freely from each other. - As the solid gallium transitions to its liquid state, the increased distance between the atoms in the liquid phase compared to the solid phase indicates an increase in potential energy.

Overall, the most direct implications of gallium melting in the hand are that the atoms gain kinetic energy and move faster on average. The changes in temperature and potential energy are also relevant but are often secondary to the explicit changes in kinetic energy and atomic motion.