Dissociation energy

[Shreya Tamatam 3B]

Why is dissociation energy always positive?

[Dayna Pham 1I]

Dissociation energy is the energy required to break a covalent bond. I believe that dissociation energy is positive because a positive change in energy is required to break a bond (gains energy) while a negative change in energy is required to make a bond (loses energy).

[Ariel Cheng 2I]

When bonds are formed, energy is released (negative) as atoms move toward a more stable state. The opposite, the breaking of bonds, would therefore require an input of energy (positive) in order to pull atoms away from that stable state.

[Katie Sy 1L]

positive refers to an input of energy vs negative would be a release of energy

[Aleeque Marselian 1A]

Dissociation energy is always positive because it is the energy required to break a bond, therefore it would require an input of energy, which is always positive. However, to form a bond, energy would have to be released, resulting in a negative charge.

[Alli Hinmon 3E]

The dissociation energy is the energy required to break a bond. The greater the bond strength the greater the dissociation energy must be. This is a way to look at the dissociation E as a positive value. I think of it as going from weak (small value) to a strong (large value) bond. Weak -> big atomic radius, more LP repelling, -> little stronger -> more bonds, -> strongest -> ION-ION.

[SophiaKohlhoff4B]

Dissociation energy is the energy required to break a bond. When bonds are formed, energy is released bc the molecule becomes more stable. When bonds are broken, energy must be added (positive) as to bring the atoms to less stable states (higher energy levels).

[Gillian Ward 1F]

Because dissociation energy is an addition of energy to break a bond it is going to be positive.