What is the term for the energy required to break a bond?

The energy required to break a bond is specifically known as bond dissociation energy. This term quantifies the amount of energy needed to separate the atoms in a molecule that are bonded together. When a bond is formed, energy is released, and breaking the bond requires an input of energy, which is what bond dissociation energy represents.

Bond dissociation energy is usually expressed in kilojoules per mole (kJ/mol) and varies depending on the specific bond and the surrounding molecular environment. It reflects the strength of a bond; higher bond dissociation energy indicates a stronger bond, while lower values suggest weaker bonds. This concept is essential for understanding chemical reactions and molecular stability since the energy involved in breaking and forming bonds plays a crucial role in the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of chemical processes.