Re: energy in the tank

[Cliff Parker <cparker@CHARTER.NET>]

>  The reason a
> chemical bond is stable is that the system reaches a
> lower energy state as the bond forms.

I agree.

> Energy must be added to break this chemical bond.

I agree.


> The common practice in biology of referring to the "high energy ATP bond"
> is probably a major contributor to this misconception.

It has been so since I studied any such thing that I assure you that Biology
teachers have no responsibility in my understanding of energy.

I am willing to modify my views on energy if necessary but what have you
said here that supports the statement that "...chemical bonds do NOT store
energy"?  Are you saying that the energy is stored in the "system" rather
than in the bonds?  If so I am not sure I see the distinction.  Something
was at a higher energy level before the gasoline was burned.  After the gas
was burned something was at a lower energy level and energy was released.
Where was that energy "stored" before it was released?