Which of the following accurately describes double bonds?

Double bonds are formed when two pairs of electrons are shared between two atoms. This type of bonding occurs frequently in organic compounds, where carbon atoms may form double bonds with other carbon atoms or with different elements, such as oxygen (in carbonyl groups) or nitrogen.

The sharing of two pairs of electrons results in a bond that is stronger than a single bond, which only involves one pair of electrons. However, double bonds are not as strong as triple bonds, which involve three pairs of electrons. The unique properties of double bonds, such as their ability to influence molecular shape and reactivity, are crucial in various biological processes, including the formation of unsaturated fats and important functional groups in biomolecules.

Although double bonds are prevalent in organic compounds, they are not exclusively found in them; for example, inorganic molecules like ethylene (C2H4) also contain double bonds. Therefore, identifying double bonds as involving two pairs of shared electrons accurately captures their essential characteristic in chemical bonding.