Question

What is a double covalent bond?

Answer 1

A double covalent bond is one in which two atoms share two pairs of electrons, rather than one.

Explanation:

One example is the molecule carbon dioxide. Its molecular formula is `"CO"_2"`. Its structural formula is `"O=C=O"`, where each colvalent bond is represented by a line. Two lines between atoms represents a double covalent bond. Each oxygen atom shares two electrons with two electrons on the central carbon atom.

The diagram below shows the structure of a carbon dioxide molecule. The two red oxygen electrons and two blue carbon electrons in the overlapping regions represent the two double bonds.