Chiral: Difference between revisions
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Something which is chiral is not symmetric about | Something which is chiral is not symmetric about its own center. Its mirror image is asymmetric. The example often used to demonstrate this concept is one's own hand: | ||
Rotating one's own hand 180° does not return it to the original shape. The thumb and the pinky trade places and the front is distinct from the back. | Rotating one's own hand 180° does not return it to the original shape. The thumb and the pinky trade places and the front is distinct from the back. | ||
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Symmetry.png|The system of both hands is symmetric despite the individual chirality. | Symmetry.png|The system of both hands is symmetric despite the individual chirality. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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Latest revision as of 22:05, 14 May 2023
Something which is chiral is not symmetric about its own center. Its mirror image is asymmetric. The example often used to demonstrate this concept is one's own hand: Rotating one's own hand 180° does not return it to the original shape. The thumb and the pinky trade places and the front is distinct from the back.
One's own hand before rotation (Thumb on left, pinky on right).
One's own hand after rotation (Thumb on right, pinky on left).
The system of both hands is symmetric despite the individual chirality.
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