Why do some molecules separate under extreme heat?

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  • Thread starter LogicalAcid
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LogicalAcid
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Why does heat cause certain things to break into their basic elements?
 
Because the average kinetic energy of the individual atoms in the molecule becomes larger than the binding energy of the chemical bonds holding them together.
 
alxm said:
Because the average kinetic energy of the individual atoms in the molecule becomes larger than the binding energy of the chemical bonds holding them together.

I understand, thank you.