What type of isomerism involves the arrangement of atoms in space?

Geometric isomerism is a specific type of stereoisomerism, which involves the arrangement of atoms in space around a double bond or within a ring structure. In contrast to structural isomerism, which differs in the connectivity of atoms, geometric isomerism retains the same connectivity but varies in the spatial arrangement of groups attached to the carbon atoms. This leads to distinct physical and chemical properties.

In geometric isomerism, the terms "cis" and "trans" are often used to describe the orientation of substituents. For example, in a cis isomer, similar or identical groups are on the same side of a double bond, while in a trans isomer, they are on opposite sides. This spatial arrangement is crucial because it influences the molecule's interactions, reactivity, and even biological function.

While optical isomerism also involves the spatial arrangement of atoms, it specifically refers to molecules that have chirality, resulting in non-superimposable mirror images known as enantiomers. Structural isomerism does not involve spatial arrangement but rather the connection of atoms, making geometric isomerism the most appropriate answer for this question.

Cis-trans isomerism is a subset of geometric isomerism and specifically describes the configurations