Page 4 Flashcards
1
Q
What does “nonsuperimposable” mean?
A
A: It refers to objects or molecules that cannot be perfectly aligned or overlapped onto their mirror image.
2
Q
What is an example of a nonsuperimposable mirror image from everyday life?
A
A: Left and right hands.
3
Q
What is chirality?
A
A: Chirality refers to a property of a molecule (or object) where it is nonsuperimposable on its mirror image.
4
Q
How are hands an analogy for molecular chirality?
A
A: Like hands, chiral molecules have mirror images that are not identical or superimposable.
5
Q
What is the key feature of a chiral molecule?
A
A: A chiral molecule lacks a plane of symmetry.
6
Q
What is the opposite of a chiral molecule?
A
A: An achiral molecule, which can be superimposed on its mirror image.
