Question:medium

With respect to the conformers of ethane, which of the following statements is true?

Updated On: Apr 22, 2026
  • Bond angle remains same but bond length changes
  • Bond angle changes but bond length remains same
  • Both bond angle and bond length change
  • Both bond angles and bond length remains same
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

When discussing the conformers of ethane, it is important to understand the concept of conformational isomers. Conformational isomers, or conformers, are different spatial orientations of a molecule that can be interconverted by rotation around single bonds.

In ethane (C2H6), rotation occurs around the carbon-carbon single bond. During this rotation, the spatial arrangement of hydrogen atoms attached to these carbon atoms changes. However, this rotation does not affect the bond lengths or bond angles.

Here is a detailed explanation of why each part of the correct answer is true:

  1. Bond Lengths: The C-C bond in ethane is a single bond, and rotation around this bond does not alter the length of the bond itself. The bond length is determined by the nature of the C-C bond and remains constant across different conformers.
  2. Bond Angles: The tetrahedral arrangement around the carbon atoms means that the C-H bonds have a standard bond angle of about 109.5 degrees. These angles remain constant because the atoms are connected by single covalent bonds that maintain their molecular geometry, regardless of the rotation around the C-C bond.

The stable conformers of ethane are staggered and eclipsed. In the eclipsed conformer, the hydrogen atoms on one carbon are directly aligned with those on the other carbon, leading to torsional strain. In the staggered conformer, the hydrogen atoms on one carbon are staggered relative to the other, leading to a more stable, lower-energy configuration. Despite these differences in stability and energetic favorability, the bond lengths and bond angles remain unchanged.

Thus, the correct statement regarding the conformers of ethane is:

Both bond angles and bond length remains same
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