Why does creating bonds release energy?

Question

Why does creating bonds release energy?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

It doesn’t always. Creating chemical bonds can either release energy or require it depending on the chemical properties of the compound(s). An example of creating a bond that releases energy is joining hydrogen and oxygen together into water, which is how hydrogen fuel cells work. An example of destroying bonds to release energy is the burning of gasoline/petrol fuel. The long chain hydrocarbons are broken, resulting in energy and smaller combustion byproducts like carbon dioxide. It required energy to fuse together those hydrocarbons, and that was done by plants millions of years ago.