Question

When bonds are broken, energy is released. True or false

Answer 1

Answer:

False. When bonds are broken, energy is absorbed.

Explanation:

Atoms form bonds to seek stability, which means lower energy compared to when they were separated. This means that separating atoms by breaking bonds is not energetically favourable.

Therefore, in order to break a chemical bond we need to provide energy to the system, which makes the process endothermic (it absorbes energy).

The attached image shows an energy diagram for the H₂ molecule, showing the variation in energy during bond formation.

Answer 2

False. Breaking Bonds → Energy Absorbed

You have to put energy into a molecule to break its chemical bonds. The amount needed is called the bond energy. If you think about it, molecules don't spontaneously break.