When gallium melts in a person's hand, several changes occur on a microscopic level:
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The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average. - As the temperature increases, the kinetic energy of the atoms increases, leading to faster movement.
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The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving freely from each other. - As the solid gallium transitions to liquid, the atoms gain potential energy due to the increased separation as they overcome the attractive forces holding them together in the solid state.
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The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy. - The increase in temperature corresponds to an increase in the average kinetic energy of the atoms, causing them to vibrate and move more vigorously.
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The gallium atoms will increase in temperature. - The increase in temperature is a direct consequence of the increase in kinetic energy.
Among these options, the most relevant microscopic changes in relation to the gallium melting in the hand are:
- The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average.
- The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving freely from each other.
- The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.
Therefore, all these options are correct, but if you are looking for the primary effects directly relating to gallium melting, it would be "The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy" and "The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average."