coming together to form an O2 molecule. The molecule is now held together by an attractive force called a covalent bond. Energy has been redistributed so that it is now a stable molecule. In the act of coming together, does the potential energy increase or decrease? Decrease Increase Question 18 ( 0.5 points) Now that these oxygen atoms are together, what wouldineed to be done to separate them? If the molecule dissociates, does it require that energy be added to the system in the form of work, or will energy be released and given off by the system? Energy released. Energy absorbed. Question 19 (0.5 points) So for this process of bond dissociation, wherein the oxygen atoms are separated from each other, is the process exothermic or endothermic