Short Q/A Energetics - Students Free Notes

Explain why formation of a bond is always an exothermic process.

The formation of a bond is always exothermic because when two atoms come together to form a bond, their potential energy decreases. Atoms are naturally attracted to each other due to the electrostatic forces between positively charged nuclei and negatively charged electrons. When atoms form a bond, they move to a lower energy state, which … Read more

Draw the reaction profiles for two exothermic reactions, one of which moves faster than the other.

In an exothermic reaction, the reaction profile typically shows a decrease in energy from reactants to products. The faster reaction will have a lower activation energy and will reach the product state quicker. Related Questions: What is the difference between enthalpy and enthalpy change? Why is breaking of a bond an endothermic process? Depict the … Read more

Depict the transition state for the following reaction: H₂ + Cl₂ ⟶ 2HCl

The transition state of the reaction is a high-energy, unstable arrangement of atoms that exists at the top of the activation energy barrier. For this reaction, it involves the partial bond formation between H and Cl atoms and the partial bond breaking between H-H and Cl-Cl bonds, where the system is neither completely reactants nor … Read more

Why is breaking of a bond an endothermic process?

Breaking a bond requires energy to overcome the attractive forces between the atoms or molecules involved. Since energy is absorbed to break these bonds, the process is endothermic. Related Questions: What is the difference between enthalpy and enthalpy change? Depict the transition state for the following reaction: H₂ + Cl₂ ⟶ 2HCl Draw the reaction … Read more