Water

Kinetic particle theory

States that all matter is a collection of particles that are in constant, random motion.

Freezing (Liquid to Solid)

The process where molecules slow down and lock into a fixed lattice to form ice.

Melting (Solid to Liquid)

The heating process where molecules gain energy to break free from the lattice and form liquid water.

Evaporation (Liquid to Gas)

The process where surface molecules gain enough energy to escape into the air as vapor.

Boiling (Rapid Liquid to Gas)

At 100°C, all molecules gain enough energy to break free, resulting in rapid evaporation.

Condensation (Gas to Liquid)

The cooling process where vapor molecules slow down and come closer to form liquid droplets.

Protons

Positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons

Neutral particles that are found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in shells.

Covalent bond

A strong electrostatic force between nonmetals formed by the sharing of electrons.

Ionic bond

Formed when one atom loses an electron and another gains an electron, resulting in an attraction between positive and negative ions.

Hydrogen bonds

Weak bonds formed between molecules due to the dipoles created by uneven electron sharing.

Solute

Something that dissolves in a solvent.

Solvent

Something that dissolves a solute.

Dissolution

The process of being dissolved.

Solution

A mixture of a solute dissolved in a solvent.

Salinity

The concentration of dissolved salts in seawater, measured in parts per thousand (ppt).

pH scale

A measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in water, indicating acidity or alkalinity.

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

The amount of oxygen present in water, which is affected by temperature and pressure.

Pycnocline

An area where the density changes quickly with depth.

Halocline

An area where salinity changes drastically with depth.

Upwelling

The process of bringing cold, nutrient-rich waters to the surface.

Convection currents

The movement of fluids caused by temperature differences, which can also influence ocean layer mixing.

Thermocline

a layer between two layers of different temperatures of water