Why, most exactly, do water molecules give up energy when they form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules?
kooky45 asked:
When water molecules form hydrogen bonds, when condensing from water vapour to liquid water for example, they give up energy in an exothermic reaction. What exactly is it about the molecules that is the cause of the energy release? Is it a change in the electrons bound to the hydrogen and oxygen atoms that are involved in the bonds? Do they jump to lower energy levels and give off energy as photons? Or is it another mechanism?
Dr. Greg, thank you very much for your answer. It confirms what I thought. I’m now looking up atomic theory and valance shells to try to understand why these lowest energy states exist (I’ll step when I get to quantum theory). All this from trying to figure out why cumulus clouds continue to form once blown away from their originating thermal!
When water molecules form hydrogen bonds, when condensing from water vapour to liquid water for example, they give up energy in an exothermic reaction. What exactly is it about the molecules that is the cause of the energy release? Is it a change in the electrons bound to the hydrogen and oxygen atoms that are involved in the bonds? Do they jump to lower energy levels and give off energy as photons? Or is it another mechanism?
Dr. Greg, thank you very much for your answer. It confirms what I thought. I’m now looking up atomic theory and valance shells to try to understand why these lowest energy states exist (I’ll step when I get to quantum theory). All this from trying to figure out why cumulus clouds continue to form once blown away from their originating thermal!
Tags: Atomic Theory, Blown Away, Bound, Cumulus Clouds, Electrons, Energy Levels, Energy Release, Energy States, Exothermic Reaction, Hydrogen Bonds, Liquid Water, Oxygen Atoms, Photons, Quantum Theory, Shells, Valance, Water Energy, Water Molecules, Water Vapour