0
$\begingroup$

I am trying to understand the meaning of chemical energy. I saw in my book that chemical energy is stored in the bonds of chemical compounds and when the bonds are untied the chemical energy increases.

I don't understand, shouldn't the chemical energy decreases? I think this because the chemical energy is not stored anymore (because there are no bonds)

enter image description here

This page describes the chemical energy level.

$\endgroup$
10
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/15250/… $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Mar 25, 2020 at 16:18
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ This is binding energy of molecule. All this "chemical energy" is energy from reactions leading to compounds with lower enthalpy. $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Mar 25, 2020 at 16:43
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Formally there's no such thing as "chemical energy". It's just a vague term for getting energy from reaction (or storing it). $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Mar 25, 2020 at 16:56
  • 1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ As @Mithoron said, there is no “chemical energy”. What matters are energy changes in chemical reactions. My PTFE beakers are chemically inert to most common reactions, but they would certainly react with molten Na, K, NaK, etc. Powdered and mixed with powdered Mg, they would serve as the oxidizing agent in the highly exothermic combustion of the Mg. What matters is the reactions potential reactants might engage in. $\endgroup$
    – Ed V
    Mar 25, 2020 at 17:27

0