What's the difference between neutral and stable?

[HCverma]

What's the difference between neutral and stable? As an example of H2. Here two H atoms combine and make an H2 molecule. Now two H atoms are neutral as they have the same number of protons and electrons. So the H2 molecule is neutral. on the other hand. Two H atoms combine through a covalent bond and complete their valence electrons shells. At this condition this molecule is stable. So what to call this H2 molecule neutral or stable?

 

[Ygggdrasil]

H₂ is both neutral and stable.

 

[HAYAO]

In this context, stable means that it does not spontaneously dissociate. That means the bonding energy of H₂ is so high (compared to the lowest H2 stable point at given pressure) that the H₂ do not dissociate into two hydrogen atoms unless they are put in a severely intense conditions. Neutral is simply a term concerning charge of the compound.

Radicals are often unstable, and they can be radical cation, radical anion, or neutral radical. Of course, many compounds show instability when charged (not neutral) but not always. Stable and neutral are two different description to a compound.

 

[Hammad Shahid]

What is an example of a molecule/compound that is somewhat stable when charged?

 

[Borek]

He₂⁺ comes to mind, definitely more stable than He₂.

Not that any of the two can be observed apart from the very exotic conditions.

Compare https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helium_dimer

 

[Zeusss Dude]

I am giving a very simple answer without a use of any technical terms. Stable equilibrium - Suppose a ball inside a ring. You displace it by some distance. Then it returns toward the normal or mean position. Unstable equilibrium - Suppose a ball on a sphere, exactly kept above it, and if disturbed it will fall down or will go away from the mean position. Neutral equilibrium - Suppose a ball on the ground at rest, you push it and it will not have any tendency to come back at go away from the mean position, that is it is in equilibrium at every instant.

 

[jim mcnamara]

The member who asked the question is on temporary vacation from PF. Some very good answers given. Thanks.

Thread is closed.

 

[Wrichik Basu]

The member who asked the question is on temporary vacation from PF. Some very good answers given. Thanks.

Thread is closed.

I can see its still open