Each of the atoms in the molecule shown below represents a unique combination of atoms in the molecule, so we can say that each of the molecules is a unique combination of the atoms shown on the left.
The three molecules in our example are nitric acid: HNO3, water: H2O, and a hydrogen: H2.
The relationship between a hydrogen and a water molecule is called its dissociation equilibrium state. We can see this in the image below. The two different molecules have dissociation equilibria like the ones shown. In this case, two molecules of water dissociate into a hydrogen, a H2 and a molecule of water (H2O).
In other words, these molecules are in an equilibrium state, and the atoms in this molecule are in perfect balance, which makes the molecules extremely stable. The dissociation equilibrium is a very important concept in chemical engineering. And while the dissociation equilibrium is very stable, it is not necessarily the case in all chemical reactions. Sometimes a reaction will proceed to completion, but will have a chemical equilibrium as the result. The dissociation equilibrium is crucial in understanding how reactions occur.
When a molecule breaks down, it releases a small amount of energy. The energy released can be either released as heat or as chemical energy. Heat is what is usually experienced by people as the result of a reaction. The heat released in a reaction is measured in calories. The chemical energy released by a reaction is measured in kJ.
To simplify, the “molecule” shown below is a bond formed between two atoms. Two atoms can be bonded to each other by many different combinations of bonds, or bonds can be broken (ie, broken bonds).
For example, the two atoms shown below can be bonded to each other. The bond shown between atoms ‘b’ and ‘c’ is formed by the bonds shown between atoms a and b. The bonds shown between atoms ‘d’ and ‘e’ are formed by the bonds shown between atoms c and e. The bond shown between atoms ‘f’ and ‘g’ is formed by the bonds shown between atoms h and f.
The bond shown between atoms g and h can be broken either by the bond shown between atoms h and e or by the bond shown between atoms h and f.
The bonds shown between atoms a and b are shown as a broken bond because the atoms they are bonded to are now detached from each other. The bonds shown between atoms g and f are shown as a broken bond because the atoms they are bonded to are now detached from each other. The bonds shown between atoms h and g are shown as a broken bond because the atoms they are bonded to are now detached from each other.
The relationship between the atoms that make up each molecule is shown as a broken bond. The atoms that make up the molecules shown are now detached from each other. Although these bonds are broken, they still hold a lot of information because they are in the same group (e.g. the bonds shown between atoms a and c are shown as a broken bond because the atoms they are bonded to are now detached from each other).