Rotation about C-C single bonds allows a compound to adopt a variety of . conformations configurations formations isomers projections are often used to draw the various conformations of a compound. conformations are lower in energy, while conformations are higher in energy. The difference in energy between staggered and eclipsed conformations of ethane is referred to as strain. strain occurs in cycloalkanes when bond angles deviate from the preferred °. The conformation of cyclohexane has no torsional strain and very little angle strain. The term "ring flip" is used to describe the conversion of one conformation into the other. When a ring has one substituent the equilibrium will favor the chair conformation with the substituent in the position.