The gallium in the image is melting in the person’s hand. Which changes will occur on a microscopic level?
A. The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average.
B. The gallium atoms will increase in temperature.
C. The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving freely from each other.
D. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.
D. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy.
The correct answers are A, B, and D.
A. The gallium atoms will be moving faster on average. When the gallium melts, the intermolecular forces holding the atoms together weaken, allowing the atoms to move more freely.
B. The gallium atoms will increase in temperature. Melting is a phase change from a solid to a liquid, which typically involves an increase in temperature as the solid absorbs heat energy.
C. The gallium atoms will gain potential energy, moving freely from each other. This statement is incorrect. When gallium melts, the atoms gain kinetic energy and are no longer restricted in their movement, but there is no significant change in their potential energy.
D. The gallium atoms will gain kinetic energy. This statement is correct. As gallium transforms from a solid to a liquid, the atoms gain kinetic energy, allowing them to move more freely.