Question:

Staggered conformation of ethane is $12.5\, kJ\, mol^{-1}$ more stable than the eclipsed conformation. The two conformations of ethane cannot be separated at room temperature.

Updated On: Jul 28, 2022

If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
If assertion is true but reason is false.
If both assertion and reason are false.

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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Staggered conformation is more stable because in this conformation any two hydrogen atoms on adjacent carbon atoms are as far apart as possible and the repulsion between the electron clouds of $\sigma$- bonds of two non-bonded hydrogen atoms is minimum. The energy difference of 12.55 kJ mol is not large enough to prevent rotation at room temperature as a result it is not possible to seperate the two conformations of ethane.

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Concepts Used:

Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons can be described as organic compounds that consists only hydrogen and carbon atoms. These compounds are of different types and thereby have distinct natures. Hydrocarbons are colorless gases and are known for discharging faint odours. These have been categorized under four major classes named as alkynes, alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Types of Hydrocarbons

Saturated hydrocarbons - Saturated hydrocarbons are those compounds where there is a single bond exists between carbon atoms and are saturated with atoms of hydrogen.
Unsaturated hydrocarbons - Hydrocarbons comprises of at least one double or triple bond between carbon atoms are known as unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Aliphatic hydrocarbons - The term denotes the hydrocarbons formed as an outcome of the chemical degradation of fats. Aliphatic hydrocarbons are basically chemical compounds.
Aromatic hydrocarbons - They are distinguished because of the presence of benzene rings in them. They give away distinct types of aroma. These hydrocarbons comprises of only hydrogen and carbon atoms.