What type of bond does ethylene specifically have?

Ethylene, with the chemical formula C₂H₄, specifically contains a double bond between the two carbon atoms. In organic chemistry, a double bond is formed when two pairs of electrons are shared between atoms—in this case, each carbon atom shares two electrons with the other carbon atom. This sharing not only influences the structure of ethylene, making it planar and allowing it to participate in various chemical reactions but also plays a crucial role in defining the compound's reactivity, stability, and physical properties. The presence of the double bond is a key feature of alkenes, the class of hydrocarbons to which ethylene belongs. Understanding the nature of this bond is essential for grasping the basics of organic molecular structure and bonding.