The gallium in the image is melting in the person’s hand. Which changes will occur on a microscopic level?
The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.
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 increase in temperature.
All of the above changes will occur on a microscopic level when gallium is melting in a person's hand.
When the gallium in the image is melting in the person's hand, the following changes will occur on a microscopic level:
1. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy. As the solid gallium starts to melt, the heat from the person's hand is transferred to the gallium atoms. This increase in energy causes the atoms to vibrate more vigorously and gain kinetic energy.
2. The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving freely from each other. As the gallium atoms gain kinetic energy, the bonds between the atoms weaken. This allows the atoms to move more freely and increases their potential energy, as they are no longer bound in a fixed arrangement.
3. The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average. With the increased kinetic energy, the individual gallium atoms will have higher velocities. This increased movement contributes to the overall increase in temperature.
4. The gallium atoms will increase in temperature. The increase in kinetic energy, as well as the weakening of interatomic bonds, results in an increase in the temperature of the gallium. This rise in temperature is a manifestation of the increased thermal energy in the gallium system.
Therefore, the gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy and potential energy, move more freely from each other, be moving faster on average, and increase in temperature.