Definition of Matter and How It Operates
Ancient day scientists such as Leucippus and Democritus are the founders of the definition of the structure of matter. In their discussion, they presented matter as a composition of small, finite particles, called atoms. They argued that atoms were moving particles of varying shapes and sizes and could join together. From this discussion, an atom was defined as the smallest unit of an element that can participate in a chemical change. These elements mentioned in the definition consisted of only one type of atom; the element had a mass characteristic of the element, which is the same for all atoms of that particular element. An element is, therefore, a microscopic sample of a large number of atoms with identical chemical properties. It is important to note that atoms that belong to one element differ in their chemical properties from atoms of all other elements. Also, when atoms of two or more elements are combined in a small, whole-number ratio, they form a compound. During a chemical change, atoms are neither created nor destroyed, but instead, they rearrange to yield substances with different forms. Thus, having this information at hand, it is easier to explain how a water molecule forms and its phases.
The formation of molecules is commonly through the transfer or sharing of electrons among atoms. During this process, some compounds are formed by gaining or losing electrons, which results in the formation of electrically charged ions. However, the water molecule is formed differently. The molecule is a compound formed by the bonding of hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms. An important note is that the molecule is bonded by a covalent bond, from a weak positive charge and the other side with a weak negative charge. From the periodic table, the hydrogen atom has a single positively charged electron in its outermost electron level, while oxygen has two negatively charged electrons. During the formation of this compound, there is no loss or gain of the electron, but instead, they share the outermost electrons, producing a molecule that has a tetrahedral shape. The oxygen side attracts the electrons more than the hydrogen side; electrons are then drawn away from the hydrogen atoms. This action leaves each side with a partial charge, a negative charge on the oxygen side, and a positive on the hydrogen, which is attracted to one another. The water molecule forms when two hydrogen atoms bond with one oxygen atom (H2O).
Water as a compound exists in three phases. These phases are solid, liquid, and gaseous forms resulting from temperature change. Water exists as solid or ice at temperatures below 0oC; the covalent bonds are strongest; beyond this temperature, all water is in a liquid state, and above 100oC, water evaporates. The bond between the water molecules is weakest. Based on the above discussion, reasoning between chemistry and reality seems to harmonize and extend conflicting. One of the clearest points is matter; this is because we have tangible items that we interact with daily. But at the same time, mud about the reality of the existence of atoms, which are stated to be so small. More issues arise, this time a question of why the hydrogen atom and oxygen atom bond to form water and not another compound. The issues of electrons getting lost and other gaining is beyond physical understanding; this science of formation seems confusing to a great extent and contrasting the biblical perspective. Religion tells us that God is behind the formation of the universe, including the waters; after creating the earth, he said let there be waters (Carmichael n.p). Using chemistry science to explain the formation of water and other components of the earth, in my opinion, is a way of conflicting with God’s power of creation.
Work Cited
Carmichael, Calum M. The Story of Creation: Its Origin and Its Interpretation in Philo and the Fourth Gospel. Cornell University Press, 2019.
https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/2-6-molecular-and-ionic-compounds
