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

The kinetic energy of the particles decreased.
The kinetic energy of the particles decreased.

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

The individual temperature of the particles increased.
The individual temperature of the particles increased.
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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 due to the energy imparted by the hammer strokes. This increased kinetic energy causes the particles to move more rapidly, leading to a rise in temperature and making the metal more malleable. The increase in temperature is associated with an increase in the average speed of the particles within the metal.