The gallium in the image is melting in the person’s hand. Which changes will occur on a microscopic level?

Question

(1 point)
Responses

The gallium atoms will increase in temperature.
The gallium atoms will increase in temperature.

The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average.
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 potential energy, moving freely from each other.

The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.
The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.

Answer 1

When gallium is melting in a person's hand, several changes occur on a microscopic level. The most relevant responses are:

• The gallium atoms will increase in temperature. (This is a general way to describe the process as heating occurs.)
• The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average. (As temperature increases, the average kinetic energy of the atoms increases, meaning they move faster.)
• The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy. (Kinetic energy is directly related to the motion of the atoms; as they heat up, their kinetic energy increases.)

The correct response regarding melting gallium specifically emphasizes the change in kinetic energy and movement because the atoms gain energy leading to increased movement.

So, the appropriate conclusion would be: The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.

The other options about potential energy pertain more to the overall phase change concept but aren't as directly related to the melting process as the kinetic energy increase.

Answer 2

Which object will have particles with the highest average kinetic energy?(1 point)
Responses

a drop of water at 90°C
a drop of water at 90°C

an iceberg at 0°C
an iceberg at 0°C

water at 40°C in a swimming pool
water at 40°C in a swimming pool

water at 37°C in a glass

Answer 3

The average kinetic energy of particles in a substance is directly related to its temperature. The higher the temperature, the greater the energy of the particles.

Considering the options given:

• A drop of water at 90°C has the highest temperature, which means the particles will have the highest average kinetic energy compared to the other options.
• An iceberg at 0°C has a much lower temperature, so the particles will have less kinetic energy.
• Water at 40°C in a swimming pool is higher than 0°C but lower than 90°C, so it has less kinetic energy than the water at 90°C.
• Water at 37°C in a glass is also below 90°C and will have lower average kinetic energy compared to the water at 90°C.

Therefore, the correct response is:

a drop of water at 90°C.