When to use cis and trans?

[Cobie_Allen_1H]

Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but I am confused when we use cis and trans when naming. Could someone explain it for me?

[angelicapayne]

this isn't a stupid question at all! as far as i know from what's shown in the course reader: when naming cycloalkanes, you use "cis" when the 2 substituents are on the same side of the ring and "trans" when the substituents are on different sides of the ring. this same type of rule applies when naming alkenes: you first have to determine the priority of the 2 groups bonded to each carbon. if the highest priority groups on each carbon are on the same side it is named "cis," if they are on opposite sides it is named "trans"

[Cobie_Allen_1H]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the help!