The gallium in the image is melting in the person's hand. Which

Question

changes will occur on a microscopic level?

O The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving
freely from each other.

O The gallium atoms will increase in temperature,

O The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average.

O The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.

Answer 1

When gallium is melting in a person's hand, several changes occur at the microscopic level. The most relevant options among the given choices would be:

1. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.
   As the temperature of the gallium increases due to the heat from the person's hand, the gallium atoms gain kinetic energy. This increased kinetic energy leads to more vigorous movement of the atoms, allowing them to overcome the attractive forces holding them together in the solid state.

2. The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average.
   This is also true, as the increase in temperature correlates with increased average speed of the gallium atoms due to the gained kinetic energy.

While both of these statements are appropriate, the best choice considering the context of melting would be "The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy." This indicates the transition from a solid state (where atoms are more tightly bound and have lower kinetic energy) to a liquid state (where atoms have more freedom of movement and higher kinetic energy).

So, the final answer could be either "The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy" or "The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average," as both are correct implications of melting gallium in this scenario.