The gallium in the image is melting in the person's hand. Which changes will occur on a microscopic level?
On a microscopic level, the following changes will occur when gallium melts in a person's hand:
1. Crystal Structure: At a solid state, gallium has a crystalline structure. As it melts, the crystal lattice will break apart, allowing the atoms in the gallium to move more freely.
2. Interatomic Bonding: Within the solid state, gallium atoms are held together by metallic bonds. As gallium melts, these metallic bonds weaken, allowing the atoms to separate and move independently.
3. Increased Kinetic Energy: As the temperature increases, the kinetic energy of the gallium atoms will also increase. This increased energy will enable the atoms to overcome interatomic forces and move more freely within the liquid state.
4. Random Molecular Motion: In the liquid state, the gallium atoms will exhibit random molecular motion. They will move in a Brownian motion pattern, constantly colliding and exchanging energy with neighboring atoms.
5. Homogeneous Distribution: In the liquid state, gallium will spread out evenly in the person's hand, achieving a more homogeneous distribution. The liquid gallium will conform to the shape of the hand, occupying the space it is placed in.
6. Increased Intermolecular Distance: The intermolecular distance between gallium atoms will increase in the liquid state compared to the solid state. The increased distance allows for greater molecular motion and provides space for the atoms to move around more freely.
Overall, the microscopic changes occurring when gallium melts involve the disruption of the crystal structure, weakening of interatomic bonds, increased kinetic energy, random molecular motion, homogeneity, and increased atom spacing within the liquid state.