What are steric effects?
Q: What are steric effects?
A: Steric effects are the effects seen in molecules that come from the fact that atoms occupy space.
Q: Why does putting atoms close to each other cost energy?
A: Putting atoms close to each other costs energy because the electrons near the atoms want to stay away from each other.
Q: What is steric hindrance?
A: Steric hindrance is when a large group in a molecule makes reactions not work.
Q: Do steric effects only affect the reactivity of molecules?
A: No, steric effects can also change the shape (or conformation) of the molecule.
Q: What is the amount of space that a group of atoms takes called?
A: The amount of space that a group of atoms takes is called the "steric bulk".
Q: Can steric hindrance also be a positive thing?
A: Yes, steric hindrance can also be a positive thing. Sometimes, chemists would like a reaction to happen in one place rather than another one.
Q: Are steric effects usually smaller than electronic effects?
A: Yes, steric effects are usually smaller than electronic effects. These affect the molecule's shape and reactivity as well, but they come from the way electrons are placed in bonds.
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