Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: James Patterson on 02/03/2010 13:30:02

Title: Why is it that when bonds are made, energy is released?
Post by: James Patterson on 02/03/2010 13:30:02

James Patterson asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hello,

In chemistry we have been learning about bond making and bond breaking. Why is it that when bonds are made, energy is released?

Thanks,
James

What do you think?

Title: Why is it that when bonds are made, energy is released?
Post by: Spannerman on 03/03/2010 16:28:07

Bonds are made by the attraction of two or more atoms, when they have bonded there is more friction within the newly bonded substance thus heat is made and given off, thus energy is released.

Title: Why is it that when bonds are made, energy is released?
Post by: Bored chemist on 03/03/2010 21:06:09

Another way of looking at it is that if energy weren't released they wouldn't form bonds.

Title: Why is it that when bonds are made, energy is released?
Post by: johnson039 on 04/03/2010 09:15:56

i believe the energy is due to the change intermolecular potential energy
just like the energy stored between charges and between planets
when the distance between the atoms/ions varies, the potential energy stored changes
a bond is formed when the energy stored is the minimum. When we 'break' the bond, we need to use energy, the energy is actually used to move the two atoms/ions apart.