-2
$\begingroup$

When we say that energy of hydrogen bonds in liquid water is $\approx \pu{6.3 kJ/mol}$,

does it mean that if we divide this number among $\pu{1 mol} \approx \pu{6.022E23}$ molecules, the result is we need $\approx \pu{e-23 kJ}$ for breaking each single hydrogen bond between 2 molecules of water?

$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Note that 1 mol of water contains n/2 mol of hydrogen bonds, where n is the average number of hydrogen bonds for 1 water molecule. $\endgroup$
    – Poutnik
    Commented May 1, 2023 at 4:49

1 Answer 1

1
$\begingroup$

It means you need this much energy to break every hydrogen bond in one mole of hydrogen bonds in water, where the number of hydrogen bonds does not have to correspond to the number of water molecules. Every water molecule can form multiple hydrogen bonds; the Wikipedia page оn H-bonding claims about 3.5 H-bonds per water. I am not sure about your value for hydrogen bond energy, the same Wiki page gives about 20 kJ/mol.

$\endgroup$

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.