Now let's estimate the interaction energy (in kj/mol) of the hydrogen bond between two water molecules immersed in water, having a dielectric constant of 78.3. simply compute the coulombic energy of the hydrogen atom of one molecule (with a partial charge of 0.325e) at a distance of 2.0 angstroms from the oxygen atom (with a partial charge of -0.65e) of a nearby water molecule. hint: this interaction energy is negative because it is attractive.
kj/mol
how does this energy compare to the energy rt at 298k? comparable, much smaller, much larger? how does this compare to the energy to break a covalent bond ~100kj/mol? the absolute value of your answer tells you how much energy is needed to break the hydrogen bond.