Final answer:
True, during a chair flip of cyclohexane, atoms change from equatorial to axial positions or vice versa, but they do not change their "up" or "down" orientation. The process maintains conformational isomer stability, with bulky groups favoring equatorial positions due to decreased steric strain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true; in a chair flip of cyclohexane, atoms change positions from equatorial to axial or vice versa, but they remain on the same side of the ring, either "up" or "down." This flipping process involves converting between conformational isomers, which are structures that have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms, but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in space due to rotation about a single bond. During the chair flip, the cyclohexane molecule passes through several high-energy transition states, such as the twist boat and half-chair conformations. Notably, in monosubstituted cyclohexanes, a bulky substituent will toggle between the axial and equatorial positions while maintaining its spatial orientation relative to the cyclohexane ring. The position of substituents in cyclohexane is critical for stability, as a bulky group is more stable in an equatorial position to minimize 1,3-diaxial interactions and steric strain. This stability preference leads to a predominant population of the more stable conformation at equilibrium.