I just did a homework problem that uses a version of Pauling's electronegativity equation which is valid for bond energies given in kJ.$$(\chi_A-\chi_B)^2 = \frac{1}{96.3} \bigg(E_{d(A-B)} - \sqrt{E_{d(A-A)} * E_{d(B-B)}}\bigg)$$$$Some \space Unknown \space Magic \space Number\approx \frac{1}{96.3} \hspace{12pt} \bigg| \hspace{12pt}\space E_{d(Bond)} = E_{dissociation(Bond)}$$I can't seem to find the equation in my textbook. The magic number 1/96.3 seems to have something to do with expressing bond energies in kJ, but I have no idea where it comes from or why this value is used.

Question

I just did a homework problem that uses a version of Pauling's electronegativity equation which is valid for bond energies given in kJ.$$(\chi_A-\chi_B)^2 = \frac{1}{96.3} \bigg(E_{d(A-B)} - \sqrt{E_{d(A-A)} * E_{d(B-B)}}\bigg)$$$$Some \space Unknown \space Magic \space Number\approx \frac{1}{96.3} \hspace{12pt} \bigg| \hspace{12pt}\space E_{d(Bond)} = E_{dissociation(Bond)}$$I can't seem to find the equation in my textbook.  The magic number 1/96.3 seems to have something to do with expressing bond energies in kJ, but I have no idea where it comes from or why this value is used.

anonymous · Answer

Evidently Pauling expressed values in kcal, and the versions of this equation I find on the net are a little different from the version used to solve the homework problem.  Can someone point me to some information on this particular version of the equation?

anonymous · Answer

Or otherwise explain what is going on in this equation?  The 1/96.3 is the main thing that is throwing me off at this point.