Ok...so this is a question.

If you take a piece of metal and heat it...what happens on a molecular level is that all of the little atomic particles get excited and start moving around real fast, right?

Ok...Now my question is this...When the metal cools back down does it return to it’s original atomic state or do the particles remain somewhat excited even after the metal has cooled?

I ask my question based on experience with heating pieces of metal repeatedly while trying in various ways to keep them cool.

One of the things that I believe I have found through experimentation and observation (which is mainly what leads me to this discussion) is that when a piece of metal is heated and then rapidly cooled (at varying speeds using several different means) that piece of metal when heated again (even if I’m starting with a piece that is much colder than what I originally started with) seems to re-heat MUCH faster than it heated up originally. And also faster than a piece allowed to cool naturally over a longer period of time.

Have I done actual recorded scientific experimentation?
No.

But...I am basing this on an incredibly huge library of personal experience so I feel pretty comfortable with the accuracy of my observations.

And just so we’re clear...I’m not talking about large pieces of metal where the core temperature could be substantially higher than the surface temperature. I mean little pieces of metal that are heated from room temperature the first time and from various temperatures thereafter some well below room temperature.



Ok...so once again, my question is this:

When metal is heated and cools back down does it return to it’s original atomic state or do the particles remain somewhat excited even after the metal has physically cooled?