Question detail
Which of the following statements is true regarding 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 identical physical properties.
- B. They can be distinguished by their interaction with plane-polarised light.
- C. They have different molecular formulas.
- D. They are always found in equal amounts in a racemic mixture.
Answer
They can be distinguished by their interaction with plane-polarised light.
Explanation
Optical isomers can be distinguished by their ability to rotate plane-polarised light in opposite directions, which is a key characteristic of enantiomers.
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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