Re: [Phys-L] Energy & Bonds

["John Clement" <clement@hal-pc.org>]

Actually the products which are more bound have lower potential energy.
Again think of a rubber band.  When you stretch it you are putting in
potential energy.  So in an exothermic reaction you end up with lower
potential energy, but higher kinetic energy.  React H2 and O2 and you get
H20 plus BOOM.  Stronger binding results in lower potential energy.

Think of potential as a flat field with a hole.  When something falls into
the hole it loses potential but gains kinetic.  The lower the hole the
greater the binding.  Of course this analogy has a limitation because the
kinetic goes away as thermal energy at the bottom of the hole.  But this is
essentially a picture of a potential energy well.  So falling into a hole is
binding.

The idea that stronger binding means MORE potential energy is huge
misconception that is often taught in school.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX

> I am more aware of my conceptual shortcomings after the 
> conversation about energy, reactions, and misconceptions.
> I would appreciate clarification from the group on:
> How do we reconcile the traditional Exothermic & Endothermic 
> graphs of Energy vs reaction process with the fact that the 
> products must be more bound and have greater potential 
> energy? Typically the endo / exo graphs show (for an 
> exothermic reaction) that the reactants have more energy than 
> the products.