What is the difference between staggered and eclipsed conformations?
| Staggered Conformation | Eclipsed Conformation |
|---|---|
| Bonds on adjacent carbons are far apart | Bonds on adjacent carbons overlap |
| More stable | Less stable |
| Lower torsional strain | Higher torsional strain |
| Lower energy | Higher energy |
These conformations are commonly observed in ethane (C₂H₆) due to rotation around the carbon-carbon single bond.
Quick Fact: The staggered conformation is the most stable form of ethane.