Had a recent mix-up when I re-read my chemistry notes, and trying to clear things up properly; is this right?:

When bonds form, energy is released, and so the reaction absorbs energy.

I have two different things written... a bond breaking results in energy absorption, breaking a bond requires energy... is that the same thing? So basically... "breaking a bond requires energy... which results in energy absorption"? But then this contradicts with what is said above... Because according to the above, when bonds break, absorption of energy occurs, not when bonds form...

Different pages in my notes say different things and my textbook is saying different things too, please help to clear this up!

1 answer

Breaking a bond required energy. Energy is absorbed when bonds are broken. That much you know. I think the mix up may be in that first statement.
When bonds form, energy is released, and so the reaction absorbs energy.

Yes, energy is released when bonds form. Whether the REACTION absorbs or releases energy, however, is determined by how much energy is absorbed by breaking bonds and how much energy is released on forming bonds. If more energy is released than absorbed the NET result will be an exothermic reaction; if more energy is absorbed by breaking bonds than is emitted from making bonds then the reaction will be endothermic.