What causes the H bonds in water molecules to last only 10^-11 sec?

  • #1
I have thought of two possible explanations:

a) Energy required to break H bonds = Energy released when H bonds form.
There is a "constant" equilibrium in the system, meaning, some water molecules form H bonds, releasing energy to the environment which causes other water molecules to loose their H bonds, and this could on forever if isolated.

b) The H bonds last so little because the e- density in the water molecules change, the partially charged zones of the molecule are not constant and they change over time breaking the H bonds between the water molecules.

Which one is correct(if any)?
 
  • #2
i would suggest that it is because the water molecules are constantly moving around because they possesses kinetic energy.
 

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