Question

What breaks a hydrogen bond?

Answer 1

1. Hydrogen bonds are formed in molecules that have an electronegative atom bonded to an hydrogen like $\mathrm{N}-\mathrm{H},\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{H},\mathrm{H}-\mathrm{F}$etc.
2. These type of bonds are found to be a type of dipole-dipole interactions and are said to be a strong intermolecular force of attraction among the molecules.
3. It has an energy of nearly 100 $\mathrm{kJ}{\mathrm{mol}}^{-1}$. The strength of the bond is determined by the electrostatic interaction between the lone pairs of the electronegative atom on one molecule and the hydrogen atom on the other.
4. It helps in identifying and determining the various properties of various compounds like the boiling points etc.
5. These bonds can be broken by increasing the temperature, as with increase in temperature, the movement of the molecules also increases which decreases the tendency to form hydrogen bonds.
6. Also, addition of any substance which do not facilitate hydrogen bonding also helps to break the hydrogen bond present.