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It is a wide-spread misconception among the public, students, and sadly among educators that chemical bonds storeenergy. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Colloquially, we speak of chemical compounds as being sources of energy. For example, hydrocarbons (gasoline) are said to be a source of energy for our cars, and carbohydrates (sugar) are said to be a source of energy for our bodies. This common use of language leads to seriously flawed assumptions about the nature and energy of chemical bonds in molecules.
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Take water (H2O), for example. How much energy is stored (i.e.: can be released chemically) in the bonds between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the H2O molecule? The answer is ZERO - none - nothing. There is no usable energy in those chemical bonds.
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But, if we were to apply energy to water in the form of electrical hydrolysis, we can separate the hydrogen and oxygen into 2H2 and O2 molecules. Now let those separated hydrogen and oxygen gas molecules freely mix in a chamber, and now ask: how much energy is stored in that H2 and O2 mixture? Lots! Just one little spark in a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of hydrogen gas mixed with O2 will release 148 MJ/Kg - enough energy to kill. That is the same amount of energy as 1,480,000 light bulbs burning at 100 Watts for 1 second!
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So there is no energy stored in the chemical bonds of the water molecule at all. Similarly, there is no energy stored inside the chemical bonds of the H2 and O2 molecules that combined to make the water molecules. The potential energy arises when free H2 and O2 gasses are allowed to coalesce. The same is true of hydrocarbons and carbohydrates. They do not store bond energy inside their molecules. But when they are in proximity of other molecules that they can react with (usually oxygen), that mixture of compounds itself is a source of potential (stored) chemical energy.
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The closest (albeit crude) analogy to chemical potential energy in the physical world is magnets. Imagine two small magnets sitting on a table top. They are too far apart to overcome the surface friction, so they just sit there. Add a little energy by moving them closer to each other, and suddenly the attractive magnetic force will overcome the resistive friction force, and in a flash, potential magnetic energy converts into kinetic energy, and the magnets move toward each other and snap firmly in place. Once the magnets are paired against each other, there is no more energy stored in that system - all the available magnetic potential energy has all been converted to kinetic energy.
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Similarly, once chemical bonds are formed, there is no energy stored in the bonds of the resulting compounds. The potential chemical energy that did exist before the reaction was released (usually as heat) as part of the chemical reaction. Stored chemical energy exists before chemical bonds are created - before the H2 and O2 combine to form water. Once the hydrogen and oxygen combine to create water, there is no energy stored in the resulting chemical bonds.
In the same way, a hydrocarbon or carbohydrate molecule has absolutely no potential (stored) chemical energy in the bonds between its atoms before it burns with oxygen. The potential (stored) chemical energy that does exist arises because the fuel is in close proximity with the oxygen. The chemical reaction that combines the fuel with the oxygen converts the potential chemical energy into usable energy.
What else can I help you with?
What is the energy in a sucrose molecule stored?
in the bond between the atoms #SLIM#PICKINS
What type of energy is stored when two atoms form a bond?
i think the energy is called chemical energy, or chemical combination. im not sure if that's correct
What does the graph of potential energy versus internuclear distance reveal about the interaction between atoms in a chemical bond?
The graph of potential energy versus internuclear distance shows how the energy changes as the distance between atoms in a chemical bond varies. It reveals important information about the strength and stability of the bond, as well as the equilibrium distance at which the atoms are most stable. The shape of the curve can indicate the type of bond (e.g. covalent, ionic) and the overall energy required to break or form the bond.
What does bond energy mean?
Bond energy refers to the amount of energy needed to break a chemical bond between two atoms in a molecule. It is a measure of the strength of the bond and is usually expressed in units of kilojoules per mole (kJ/mol). Higher bond energy indicates a stronger bond that requires more energy to break.
Where all energy is stored in compounds?
A compound's energy comes from three sources. 1) The motion of the particles (atoms, molecules) means it has kinetic energy (which is what gives the compound its temperature). 2) The mass of the compound, since mass is a form of energy which can be converted to the other forms. 3) The main source of energy are the electromagnetic and nuclear bonds of the compound, which give it potential energy. Usually when one speaks of bond energy of a compound, they are referring to the bond energy supplied by the electromagnetic bonds. The particles constantly exert forces on each other which means potential energy is constantly supplied. When the bonds of a compound are broken, the potential energy gets converted to kinetic energy (motion).
Do a bond between two atoms contains chemical energy?
Yes, a bond between two atoms contains chemical energy. This energy is a result of the attraction between the atoms and is released when the bond is broken. The amount of energy stored in the bond depends on the type of bond and the atoms involved.
Is the energy stored in the bonds between atoms potential or kinetic energy?
It is potential energy. It becomes kinetic when a bond is broken.
What energy is stored in a molecule bond?
The energy stored in a molecule bond is potential energy. This energy is released when the bond is broken, and it is required to form the bond in the first place. The amount of energy stored in a bond depends on the type of bond and the atoms involved.
The energy in the bonds between atoms is what?
Electrical Energy
How Is energy stored in chemical bonds?
Energy is stored in chemical bonds through the arrangement of atoms and the sharing or transfer of electrons within molecules. When chemical bonds are formed, energy is either released or absorbed depending on the type of bond and the elements involved. This stored energy can be released through chemical reactions to fuel processes in living organisms.
What is the energy in a sucrose molecule stored?
in the bond between the atoms #SLIM#PICKINS
What is stored in bonds that hold compounds together?
Bonds store potential energy that holds atoms together within a compound. This potential energy is released upon bond formation or broken during bond breaking. The type of bond (ionic, covalent, or metallic) determines the strength of the attraction between atoms.
What is the stored energy in a mitochondria called?
Energy is stored as chemical energy. This energy is stored in the Second bond between phosphate groups in ATP.
What does the energy require to completely remove the covalent bond between two atoms?
The energy required to completely break a covalent bond between two atoms is known as the bond dissociation energy or bond energy. It varies depending on the specific atoms involved and the type of bond, but it is typically in the range of 50-1000 kJ/mol. This energy is needed to overcome the attractive forces holding the atoms together in the bond.
What is the energy required to bond particles of matter together and is stored in those bonds?
The energy required to bond particles of matter together is known as bond energy. This energy is stored in the chemical bonds that hold atoms together in molecules. Bond energy is a measure of the strength of these bonds and is released when the bonds are broken.
The energy required to completely dissociate two atoms that are covalently boned together is called?
The energy needed to break a bond between two atoms is the called the bond energy. The SI units for bond energy are kJ/mol.
How does stored chemical energy relate to chemical bonds?
Stored chemical energy is a form of potential energy that is stored in the chemical bonds of molecules. When these bonds are broken during a chemical reaction, the stored energy is released, typically in the form of heat or light. The amount of energy stored in a chemical bond depends on the specific atoms involved and the type of bond they form.
