Stereoisomerism is a crucial concept in the field of chemistry. It refers to the phenomenon where molecules have the same molecular formula and bond connectivity, but differ in their spatial configuration. These differences in structure can have significant impacts on properties such as reactivity, solubility, and biological activity. Some synonyms for stereoisomerism include geometrical isomerism, configurational isomerism, and optical isomerism. Geometrical isomerism refers specifically to isomers that have different arrangements of substituents around double bonds. Configurational isomerism is a broader term that encompasses both geometric and optical isomers. Finally, optical isomerism specifically refers to isomers that differ in the way they interact with polarized light.