A blacksmith strikes a piece of metal with a hammer repeatedly. The metal slowly begins to glow as the temperature increases, and the metal becomes more malleable which changes on a microscope level led to the visible changes in the properties of the metal. Is it the average speed of the particles increased, the potential energy of the particles, decreased the kinetic energy of the particles, decreased, or the individual temperature of the particles increased.
The correct answer is that the average speed of the particles increased.
When a blacksmith strikes a piece of metal with a hammer, the force applied causes the particles within the metal to vibrate and move with greater speed. This increase in average speed is directly related to the rise in temperature. As the metal gets hotter, the particles gain more kinetic energy, resulting in increased movement and vibration. This increase in motion and speed leads to a softening of the metal, making it more malleable for shaping and forging.