A blacksmith strikes a piece of metal with a hammer repeatedly. The metal slowly begins to glow as the temperature increases, and the metal becomes more malleable. Which changes on a microscopic level led to the visible changes in the properties of the metal? (1 point)

Question

Responses

The individual temperature of the particles increased.
The individual temperature of the particles increased.

The average speed of the particles increased.
The average speed of the particles increased.

The potential energy of the particles decreased.
The potential energy of the particles decreased.

The kinetic energy of the particles decreased

Answer 1

The correct response is:

The average speed of the particles increased.

As the blacksmith strikes the metal, the kinetic energy of the particles increases, which raises the temperature and, thus, the average speed of the particles. This increase in energy makes the metal more malleable and allows it to deform more easily under the hammer strikes.