Which of the following best describes the motion of the particles in a piece of steel?

• A. The particles vibrate in fixed positions.
• B. The particles move freely and independently throughout the material.
• C. The particles slide past one another easily.
• D. The particles are completely stationary and do not move at all.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the states of matter and particle motion: In solids, liquids, and gases, particles behave differently based on their arrangement and energy.
2. Recall that steel is a solid, meaning its particles are arranged in a fixed, orderly pattern called a lattice.
3. In solids like steel, particles do not move freely or slide past each other; instead, they vibrate around fixed positions within the lattice.
4. Particles in solids are not completely stationary; they have vibrational motion due to thermal energy, but they do not translate or flow.
5. Therefore, the best description of particle motion in steel is that the particles vibrate in fixed positions.