Question

define conformation discuss conformation of Ethane

Answer 1

Consider a C-C bond.
It this bond can be rotated around its nuclear axis. It results in the formation of many arrangements of the carbon atoms.such arrangements if atoms due too bond rotations are called conformers or trainers.
But this rotations are not free totally. It has some resistance too because of the small energies created this resistance is called torsional strain.


Ethane has infinite conformers.in all of them, there r three extreme case,

Eclipsed form
Skew form
Staggered form

Eclipsed form,
The hydrogen atoms that are bonded with carbon are close enough to each other.
It has the maximum torsional strain.

Skew,
Intermediate distance

Staggered form,
The atoms are far apart from each other. This had the least torsional strain due to less repulsion.

These isomers can be represented by two forms,

Sawhorse and Newman's projections.
(Refer the image)

Hope it helps!!!