Why are the bonds between phosphate groups in ATP particularly strong? -Oxygens

Question

Why are the bonds between phosphate groups in ATP particularly strong?

-Oxygens on each of the phosphates are negatively charged, meaning they would attract and it would take more energy to hold the groups together in a bond.

-Oxygens on each of the phosphates are positively charged, meaning they would repel and it would take more energy to hold the groups together in a bond.

-Oxygens on each of the phosphates are negatively charged, meaning they would repel and it would take more energy to hold the groups together in a bond.

-Oxygens on each of the phosphates are positively charged, meaning they would attract and it would take more energy to hold the groups together in a bond.

Explanation / Answer

Answer: (c) Oxygens on each of the phosphates are negatively charged, meaning they would repel and it would take more energy to hold the groups together in a bond.

Explanation:

Multiple phosphate groups have a strong tendency to repel each other, because of the high concentration of negative charge in the very polar and usually ionized oxygen atoms.

Molecules with two or three phosphate groups are considered good energy donors, readily releasing energy along with the transfer of phosphate groups.

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