Question

Given that formation of a bond between two atoms is exothermic and accompanied by an entropy decrease, explain why all chemical compounds decompose into individual atoms if heated to a high enough temperature.

Answer 1

If the formation of a bond between the two atoms is exothermic, means during the bond formation between these two atoms heat is released.

For exothermic reactions, reactions performed at lower temperature are favorable as the released heat will be neutralized by the cool conditions and entropy of the particular reaction is low (which is favorable).

If the atoms are heated to high temperatures, the entropy will be significantly high as this is not favorable situation for a reaction to happen and the reactants are not willing to participate in reaction and the chemical compounds decompose into individual atoms.