Question

1. Diagram hyperconjugation showing how it stabilizes staggered conformers of ethane.

2. Explain how this stabilizing process occurs, including the steric factors.

Answer 1

answer : Some points about Ethane

Ethane molecules can rotate internally around one or more of their bonds so that during a full 360^o rotation, they will change between unstable and relatively stable conformations

In ethane one of its CH₃ group roate around C-C bond

the molecule will alternate three times between an unstable eclipsed conformation and the preferred staggered conformation

ethane rotates towards an eclipsed structure, the electrons in C-H bonds on the different C atoms are drawing closer to each other and therefore experience increased repulsion, introducing a rotation barrier that destabilizes the eclipsed structure.

but the main thing that leads to staggered conformation is due to preferential stabilization through hyperconjugation