Final answer:
The number of stereoisomers a molecule has can be determined using the formula 2^n, where n is the number of chiral centers in the molecule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number of stereoisomers a molecule has can be determined using the formula 2^n, where n is the number of chiral centers in the molecule. Steroisomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula and connectivity but differ in their spatial arrangement. Each chiral center in a molecule can have two possible configurations, R or S, leading to the 2^n formula.
For example, if a molecule has 2 chiral centers, there can be a maximum of 2^2 = 4 stereoisomers. However, the actual number of stereoisomers may be less than the maximum due to the presence of other elements of symmetry or restrictions on bond rotations.