A conformation is one of the spatial arrangements of a molecule that can be interconverted simply by rotation about single (sigma) bonds, without breaking any bonds. Different conformations differ in energy because of the interactions between groups. The staggered and eclipsed forms of ethane are two important conformations.

构象是分子的一种空间排布,这种排布只需绕单(σ)键旋转、无需断裂任何键即可相互转化。不同构象因基团间相互作用而能量不同。乙烷的交叉式和重叠式是两种重要的构象。