What is the three-dimensional shape of a molecule known as?

The three-dimensional shape of a molecule is referred to as conformation. Conformation describes how the different parts of a molecule are arranged in three-dimensional space and can change due to rotations around single bonds. This shape is significant because it can influence the molecule's chemical properties and biological activity.

In molecular chemistry, the term conformation is specifically used to denote the different arrangements that a molecule can adopt, which can change without breaking any bonds, such as when two atoms in a molecule rotate around a bond. Understanding conformation is essential in fields such as drug design and biochemistry, where the specific shape of a molecule can determine how it interacts with other molecules.

Other terms, while related to molecular structure, do not specifically refer to the three-dimensional arrangement. Structure can imply a general overview of how components are organized within a molecule, while configuration typically refers to the fixed arrangement of atoms that cannot change without breaking bonds. Orientation is a broader term that may refer to the position or alignment of any object, not specifically tied to molecular shapes.