What is the structural formula for ethene?

The structural formula for ethene is accurately represented as CH₂=CH₂. Ethene, also known as ethylene, is a simple alkene consisting of two carbon atoms that are connected by a double bond. The formula illustrates that each carbon atom is bonded to two hydrogen atoms, making a total of four hydrogen atoms in the molecule.

This representation emphasizes the presence of the double bond between the two carbon atoms, which is a defining feature of alkenes and is crucial for understanding the chemistry of this compound, including its reactivity. The formula is concise and effectively conveys the important aspects of ethene's structure, highlighting both the connectivity between the atoms and the type of bonding.

Other options do not correctly depict ethene:

• A molecular formula like C₂H₄ reflects the same composition as ethene but does not illustrate its structural aspects, particularly the double bond.

• CH₃-CH₃ denotes ethane, which is a saturated alkane with all single bonds and no double bonds.

• CH₃-CH=CH₂ depicts propene, a three-carbon alkene, which is structurally different from ethene.

Thus, the representation of ethene as CH₂=CH₂ effectively captures both