A group of students collect three soil samples and analyze them for nitrogen (N) and carbon (C). Two of their samples are high in N and C while the third is low. These two samples are also a darker color than the third. What is the most likely explanation for their findings

For cyclohexane compounds drawn in a chair conformation:   -axial bonds are vertical  -equatorial bonds are parallel to two bonds within the ring.  thus, as i assume the chair conformation is drawn:   -the x group is in an axial position, as are the five other vertical bonds.  -three axial bonds are on the top face of the ring  -the other three axial bonds are on the bottom face  the position of the second substituent on each ring carbon is equatorial.  gauche groups must be on an adjacent carbon such as carbon 6 and carbon 2, and also gauche groups are rotated by 60 degrees relative to each other.  drawing the newman projections for c1–c2 and c1–c6 aids in visualizing the groups that are gauche to the y group on c1.  click this link and watch some academic videos that may you more understand the topic 

High-energy and unstable.

While unproven, it uses facts to support part of a conclusion. it is still factual and has predictive power, however.