Which of the Following Best Describes the Molecules of a Sample

question 6

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the molecules of a sample of ethane gas at room temperature?

• A) Almost all of the molecules are frozen or locked in the eclipsed conformation.
• B) Almost all of the molecules are frozen or locked in the staggered conformation.
• C) The molecules are rapidly interconverting between the eclipsed and staggered conformations, but at any one time slightly more of them are present in the eclipsed conformation.
• D) The molecules are rapidly interconverting between the eclipsed and staggered conformations, but at any one time slightly more of them are present in the staggered conformation.

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Definitions:

Newman Projection

A method of visualizing the spatial arrangement of atoms by looking down the bond between two carbon atoms in a molecule.

C2-C3 Bond

Refers to the covalent bond between the carbon atoms in the 2nd and 3rd position in an organic molecule.

2-Methylbutane

An organic chemical compound, also known as isopentane, characterized by the formula C5H12, notable for being one of the isomers of pentane.

Newman Projection

A representation of a molecule used to visualize conformations by looking down the bond axis between two atoms.