Final answer:
When bonds are moved out of equilibrium, forces between atoms are imbalanced, leading to a shift in electron distribution and changes in potential energy. The system will adapt to new conditions until a new equilibrium state is reached.
Step-by-step explanation:
When bonds are out of equilibrium, such as when one atom is slightly displaced from another, the balance of forces between the atoms is disturbed. The electron distribution may shift, causing imbalances in charge that result in an excess of positive or negative charges on opposite ends of the molecules.
The decrease or increase in distance between the atoms influences their potential energy due to changes in repulsive and attractive forces. If atoms are moved too far apart, they may not form a bond as their orbitals do not overlap. The energy of the system is minimized when atoms are at an optimum bond distance, where the attractive forces between nuclei and electrons are balanced with the repulsive forces of electrons and nuclei.
Moreover, this balance of forces creates a stable equilibrium. If disturbed by external changes, such as a shift in reactant or product concentration or a change in temperature, the chemical system will undergo changes until reaching a new equilibrium. For instance, removing a reactant will shift the equilibrium to favor reactant formation, while removing a product will shift it towards more product formation, as the system seeks to re-establish balance.