Which of the following statements correctly describes bond energy?

• A. Bond energy is always the same for all types of chemical bonds.
• B. Bond energy refers to the energy needed to ionize an atom.
• C. Bond energy is the energy released when a bond is formed in a solid compound.
• D. Bond energy is the amount of energy required to break one mole of a specific type of bond in a gaseous molecule.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that bond energy refers to the energy involved in breaking or forming chemical bonds between atoms.
2. Recognize that bond energy is specific to the type of bond and the molecules involved; it is not the same for all bonds.
3. Recall that bond energy is defined as the amount of energy required to break one mole of a particular bond in gaseous molecules, not related to ionization energy or energy released in solids.
4. Note that bond energy is an endothermic quantity when breaking bonds (energy input) and exothermic when bonds form (energy release), but the standard definition focuses on the energy needed to break bonds.
5. Conclude that the correct description of bond energy is: it is the energy required to break one mole of a specific type of bond in a gaseous molecule.