alleryStart learning →How many pairs of electrons are shared in a double bond?
ATwo pairs
BOne pair
CThree pairs
DFour pairs
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Two pairs
1. A single bond is one shared pair of electrons.
2. A double bond is formed when two pairs are shared between the same two atoms.
3. Atoms take this step when one shared pair leaves them short of an octet.
4. The carbon and oxygen atoms of methanal are joined this way.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 "Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry", section Double and Triple Bonds_
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