# Function: chainStability()

[**lifecycle-kit**](https://jonbogaty.com/lifecycle-kit/api/readme/index.md)

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[lifecycle-kit](https://jonbogaty.com/lifecycle-kit/api/readme/index.md) / [chem](https://jonbogaty.com/lifecycle-kit/api/chem/readme/index.md) / chainStability


# Function: chainStability() {#function-chainstability}


> **chainStability**(`symbol`, `kelvin`): `number`

Defined in: [chem/biochemistry.ts:59](https://github.com/jbcom/lifecycle-kit/blob/074e4e7b8038d3e2de9eb44c4b5b5aee0ef02b48/src/chem/biochemistry.ts#L59)

How well an element's chains survive at a given temperature.

Two competing effects, both measured:

- **Hydrolysis.** Si-Si and Si-O-Si bonds are attacked by liquid water;
  carbon chains are not. This is the single strongest reason Earth is
  carbon-based, and it stops applying above the boiling point.
- **Thermal cleavage.** Every bond breaks once kT approaches its energy.
  Carbon's stronger bonds survive further, but not indefinitely — above
  roughly 800 K organic chemistry is unravelling while silicones are not.

The result is a genuine crossover rather than a fudge: carbon dominates the
liquid-water range, silicon becomes viable once water is gone, and both fail
in the extreme heat where nothing holds together.


## Parameters {#parameters}



### symbol {#symbol}


[`Backbone`](https://jonbogaty.com/lifecycle-kit/api/chem/type-aliases/backbone/index.md)


### kelvin {#kelvin}


`number`


## Returns {#returns}


`number`