Bond Energy - GCSE Chemistry Definition

Bond energy is a measure of the amount of energy required to break one mole of a specific type of bond between atoms in a molecule, in the gaseous state, into separate atoms. In GCSE Chemistry, bond energy helps us understand the stability of chemical compounds and the energy changes in chemical reactions. It is usually expressed in kilojoules per mole (kJ/mol).

When bonds are formed, energy is released, and when bonds are broken, energy is absorbed. By comparing the bond energies of the reactants and products in a reaction, students can determine whether a reaction is exothermic (releases energy) or endothermic (absorbs energy). Understanding bond energy is crucial for analysing and predicting chemical behaviour and reaction energetics.