Matter, Water, and Marine Chemistry Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes covering kinetic particle theory, states of matter, subatomic particles, chemical bonds, properties of water, salinity, pH scale, and dissolved gas dynamics in marine environments.

Kinetic Particle Theory

Describes all matter as particles in constant, random motion; their energy determines movement.

Solid (Ice) State

Molecules slow down as energy is lost, forming a fixed, rigid crystal lattice.

Liquid State

Particles are closely packed but able to flow past each other, taking the container's shape.

Gas (Water Vapour) State

Particles gain high energy, move rapidly, and break attractive forces through evaporation or boiling.

Atom

The smallest particle an element can be separated into while remaining the same substance.

Subatomic Particles

Protons (positive), Neutrons (neutral), and Electrons (negative).

Atomic Nucleus

The positively charged centre of an atom containing protons and neutrons.

Electron Shells

Orbits surrounding the nucleus; 1st shell holds up to 2 electrons, next hold up to 8.

Atomic Number

The fixed number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, identifying the element.

Compound

A substance formed from two or more different elements bonded in a specific ratio (e.g., $2\text{H}:1\text{O}$).

Emergent Properties

New characteristics that a compound develops through bonding that individual elements lack.

Covalent Bond

A strong chemical bond formed when atoms share pairs of electrons to complete outer shells.

Ionic Bond

A bond formed by electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions (gained/lost electrons).

Ion

An atom or molecule that has gained (-) or lost (+) electrons, acquiring an electrical charge.

Polarity

When opposite ends of a molecule have partial electrical charges (water: H is d+, O is d-).

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction between a partially positive hydrogen atom and a partially negative atom.

Universal Solvent

Water's ability to dissolve many substances due to its polar nature and partial charges.

Ice Density Feature

Ice is less dense than liquid water because hydrogen bonds expand molecules into a crystal lattice upon freezing.

Specific Heat Capacity

The heat energy required to raise $1\,\text{kg}$ of a substance by $1\,^\circ\text{C}$; water's high capacity buffers climate.

Solute

A solid, liquid, or gas substance that dissolves in a solvent.

Solvent

A substance (like water) capable of dissolving other substances.

Solution

A uniform mixture of a solute dissolved in a solvent.

Salinity

A measure of dissolved solids in seawater, measured in parts per thousand (ppt or %o); average ocean is $35\,\text{ppt}$.

Factors Increasing Salinity

Evaporation removing freshwater, leaving salts behind.

Factors Decreasing Salinity

Precipitation and freshwater run-off diluting salt concentration.

pH Scale

A logarithmic scale ($0\text{--}14$) measuring hydrogen ion concentration; below $7$ is acidic, $7$ neutral, above $7$ alkaline.

Gas Solubility Factors

Gas solubility increases with colder temperatures, lower salinity, and higher pressure.

Photic Zone / Surface Layer

The top $100\text{--}200\,\text{m}$ where wave motion and photosynthesis create high dissolved oxygen (supersaturation).

Oxygen Minimum Layer

An ocean depth ($100\text{--}1000\,\text{m}$) where dissolved oxygen reaches its lowest levels due to high respiration and no photosynthesis.