ATP example

[Clarissa Nava 3H]

why is the hydrolysis of a chemical negative ?

[Chem_Mod]

The hydrolysis of every chemical is not necessarily negative but for ATP in particular when you’re breaking a bond a lot of energy is released because that bond was very unstable.

[Cade Okohira 4K]

Hydrolysis is a catabolic reaction, in which large molecules are broken down into smaller ones. Thus, a fair amount of energy is released and the reaction is endergonic.

[MariahClark 2F]

Wouldn’t the reaction be exergonic since it’s giving off energy and not requiring it?

[CameronDis2K]

Since hydrolysis represents the breaking of bonds in a reaction, energy and heat will for sure be released (as products are favored) leading to an exothermic reaction where the deltaH is negative.

[905373636]

Wouldn’t the reaction be exergonic since it’s giving off energy and not requiring it?

In ATP's case, yes, but not all hydrolytic reactions are exergonic -- when it requires more energy than it gives off.

[kevinolvera1j]

ATP happens to be a very unstable molecule due to its phosphate groups being next to each other (these phosphates all have negative charges) Thus when hydrolysis occurs, the products are at a lower energy state because they are more stable apart than together.

[Konmal Ali 1G]

If the divided components are ionized, one obtains two hydrogen atoms and a positive charge, while the other gains an oxygen atom and a negative charge. When amino acids are liberated from protein chains by hydrolysis, this is what happens.