100 points
A sample of an element was poured from one container into a second container. It took on the shape of the second container. It was then cooled. After cooling, the element was removed from the container and kept its new shape. What happened to the atoms of the element when they were cooled in the second container?


A) They began to move more quickly.

B) They began to escape into the air.

C) They stopped moving past the atoms around them.

D) They stopped being attracted to nearby atoms.