Part A Conformers of Alkanes

Each representation above shows ethane (CH3CH3) in its lowest P.E. (most favorable) conformation. 

(E) Make a model of ethane. Each time you move atoms by rotating a single bond you are 

The conformation at right is called eclipsed. It is the least favorable (highest P.E.) conformation of butane. 

Newman projections are confusing partly because an imaginary disc is 

Recall our analogy between chemical potential energy and gravitational potential energy. 

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