This video shows the origin of the steric effect that occurs upon rotation around the central C-C bond in butane, and how the steric effect differs from normal electron repulsion. Electron repulsion is in the increase in energy that occurs as a result of electrons (usually in pairs in a bond or as a nonbonding pair) getting close to each other. The steric effect occurs when electrons (usually in pairs in a bond or as a nonbonding pair) try to occupy the same area of space. The steric effect increases energy more than electron repulsion.



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