Why, most exactly, do water molecules give up energy when they form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules?

Question

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!

Answer 1

first two answers are completely wrong. either that or those guys are not getting the question.

formation of hydrogen bonds, including all chemical bond formation will release energy. this is due to bonding electrons dropping to a lower energy level once they have settled in what we call a "bond". since the electrons go to a less excited state, they lose energy in the form of heat, kinetics or light.

Answer 2

Got nothing to do with "hydrogen bonds". The molecules give up the energy of motion, ie they slow down - heat is given off. This is not an exothermic reaction as it is not a 'reaction', just a physical change.

Answer 3

No, sure, yet kinda no... If we expect of roughly it no longer uncomplicated sufficient this will become an extremely standard actual chemistry question. in short, the hydrogen bonding in water is the comparable of that as in ice. In water the molecules are extreme in capability and disorganized so fewer hydrogen bonds style by using fact the gadget has sufficient capability to avert lots of the achievable bonds from forming. In ice however the gadget is low in capability and greater prepared so greater of the bonds can style ensuing interior the lattice shape of ice. in basic terms think of of it like this, greater capability interior the gadget greater possibilities for the bonds to interrupt or no longer style in any respect by using detrimental situations. much less capability interior the gadget greater order and greater possibilities for the bonds to style and not ruin ensuing interior the lattice shape forming.

Answer 4

it is the temperature difference between the water vapours and the environment
the heat transfer takes place from higher temp. substance to the lower temp. substance
thus vapours condense and loose energy

Answer 5

the vapourisation and condensation takes place simultaneosly as it is a reversible reaction.this what happens during evaporation..........welll when it comes to molecular part .........every atom and molecule tries to attain the nearest stable state.by releasing or absorbing energy.............