Question

why esters give a sweet smell

Answer 1

Esters smell partly because they exhibit weak intermolecular forces. This allows ester molecules to enter the gas phase and reach your nose. Esters don't exhibit intermolecular hydrogen bonding, unlike alcohols, for example. These are no strongly positively polarized hydrogens in esters to participate in hydrogen bonding. Consider for example ethyl butyrate, which smells like pineapples.