torsion angles

Torsion angles describe how a molecule's structure twists around a bond between two atoms. Imagine a chain of connected sticks; the torsion angle measures how one part of the chain is rotated relative to another around the central bond. These angles are crucial in determining the 3D shape of molecules, especially in complex molecules like proteins. They influence the molecule's properties and how it interacts with other molecules. Essentially, torsion angles help us understand the spatial arrangement of atoms connected through bonds.