Question detail
What is the characteristic feature of optical isomers?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Optical isomerism (A-level only)
Question
- A. They have different structural formulas.
- B. They rotate plane-polarised light in opposite directions.
- C. They have the same molecular weight.
- D. They can be separated by distillation.
Answer
They rotate plane-polarised light in opposite directions.
Explanation
Optical isomers, or enantiomers, are defined by their ability to rotate plane-polarised light in opposite directions, which distinguishes them from other types of isomers.
Common mistake
Identifying Optical Isomers
Students often fail to recognize that optical isomers must be non-superimposable mirror images of each other.
To fix this, remember that for two molecules to be optical isomers, they must have chiral centers and cannot be aligned perfectly when one is placed over the other.
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