💥Bond breaking vs Bond making🔗
Every reaction breaks old bonds and makes new ones. The balance between the two decides if a reaction is exothermic or endothermic.
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💥Bond breaking
- ✓Energy must be absorbed to break a bond
- ✓An endothermic step
- ✓Always requires an energy input
- ✓Stronger bonds need more energy
- ✓Happens to the reactants
🔗Bond making
- ✓Energy is released when a bond forms
- ✓An exothermic step
- ✓Always gives out energy
- ✓Stronger bonds release more energy
- ✓Happens to form the products
Verdict
Breaking bonds always absorbs energy and making bonds always releases it. If bond making releases more than bond breaking absorbs, the reaction is exothermic overall.
Frequently asked
Which step releases energy?+
Bond making releases energy; bond breaking absorbs it.
How does this decide exothermic vs endothermic?+
If forming new bonds releases more than breaking old ones absorbs, the reaction is exothermic.
Do stronger bonds matter more?+
Yes. Stronger bonds absorb more energy to break and release more energy when they form.
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