Define bond energy. - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question (d) - 2009

Bond energy is defined as the average energy required to break one mole of bonds in a substance. This process involves separating the atoms within the molecule into individual gaseous atoms.

When a bond is formed, energy is released, and when it is broken, energy must be supplied. Therefore, the bond energy quantifies the strength of a bond; higher bond energy indicates a stronger bond that requires more energy to break.