Nitrogen has a melting point of -210.0°C and a boiling point of -195.8°C. A sample of nitrogen is heated from -215.0°C to -200.0°C. Which of the following best describes what happens to the nitrogen atoms during this transition?

A.
They gain enough energy to move relative to one another.
B.
They gain so much energy that the attractive forces between them have no effect on their motion.
C.
They lose enough energy to be held in a permanent location.
D.
The attractive forces between them decrease, allowing the atoms to move relative to one another.