Use the image to answer the question. The gallium in the image is melting in the person’s hand. Which changes will occur on a microscopic level? (1 point) Responses 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 be moving faster on average. The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy. The gallium atoms will increase in temperature.

Answer 1

When gallium is melting in the person’s hand, the changes that occur on a microscopic level are primarily related to the motion and energy of the atoms.

The most appropriate response would be: The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.

As the solid gallium melts, the temperature increases, causing the atoms to move faster as they gain kinetic energy. This increased movement allows the atoms to break free from their fixed positions in the solid structure, transitioning into a liquid state.