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

Question

The gallium atoms will increase in temperature.
The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.
The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average.
The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving freely from each other

Answer 1

When gallium melts in a person's hand, several changes occur at a microscopic level:

1. The gallium atoms will increase in temperature: This is correct, as the temperature of the gallium rises due to the heat from the person's hand.

2. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy: This is also correct. As the temperature increases, the kinetic energy of the atoms increases, which corresponds to an increase in their motion.

3. The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average: This statement is also true. With increased temperature and kinetic energy, the average speed of the gallium atoms will increase as they transition from a solid to a liquid state.

4. The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving freely from each other: This statement is partially correct in the context of melting. When gallium changes from solid to liquid, the atoms overcome some of the attractive forces holding them together (potential energy increases), allowing them to move more freely.

In summary, all the statements reflect the changes occurring at the microscopic level when gallium melts in a person's hand.

Answer 2

what is the answer

Answer 3

The melting of gallium in a person's hand involves several changes at the microscopic level, and the following statements are correct:

1. The gallium atoms will increase in temperature.
2. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.
3. The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average.
4. The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving freely from each other.

All four statements are valid and describe processes that occur at the microscopic level when gallium melts. If you need to choose one key change, it can be summarized as the gallium atoms gaining kinetic energy and moving more freely. However, in the context of your question, all four statements correctly describe the changes occurring during the melting process.