Question

What is double bonding?

Answer 1

Double bonding occurs when two atoms of non-metal elements share two pairs of electrons, in what is called a double bond. A double bond is composed of two covalent bonds. In a structural formula, a double bond is represented by two parallel lines, each line representing a covalent bond between atoms.

Carbon atoms form double bonds ( C=C ) with each other in many organic compounds, which is why it is so versatile in the formation of organic compounds and biomolecules. The oxygen atoms in an `O_2` molecule join by means of a double bond. Its structural formula is O=O. In a molecule of carbon dioxide, `CO_2`, each oxygen atom forms a double bond with the central carbon atom. Its structural formula is O=C=O.

As you can see in this diagram the electrons are being shared between two atoms. The top part is a single bond and the bottom part is a double bond.

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