Which of the following best explains what causes the release of energy from a chemical bond?

• A. Energy is released when atoms move farther apart in a molecule.
• B. Energy is released when electrons are transferred from one atom to another.
• C. Energy is released when new, more stable bonds are formed during a chemical reaction.
• D. Energy is released when bonds are broken because breaking bonds always releases energy.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that chemical bonds involve the interaction of electrons between atoms, and the stability of these bonds relates to the potential energy of the system.
2. Recall that breaking a chemical bond requires an input of energy because you are overcoming the attractive forces holding atoms together; this is an endothermic process.
3. Recognize that forming new chemical bonds releases energy because atoms achieve a more stable, lower-energy arrangement; this is an exothermic process.
4. Identify that the net release of energy in a chemical reaction occurs when the energy released from forming new, more stable bonds is greater than the energy required to break the original bonds.
5. Conclude that the correct explanation for energy release is that it happens when new, more stable bonds are formed during a chemical reaction, not simply when bonds are broken or atoms move apart.