optical rotation

American  

noun

Physical Chemistry.

1. the angle at which the plane of polarized light is rotated when passed through an optically active substance.

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optical rotation British  

noun

1. the angle through which plane-polarized light is rotated in its passage through a substance exhibiting optical activity

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Etymology

Origin of optical rotation

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

The article has the specific gravity at 15° C., 0.870-0.876; optical rotation, -12° to -14°; refractive index at 20° C., 1.463-1.464; and when estimated by acetylation, yields about 70 per cent. of alcohols.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by Simmons, W. H.

French.—Specific gravity at 15° C., 0.917-0.925; optical rotation, -6° to -10°; total menthol, 45-55 per cent.; free menthol, 35-45 per cent.; soluble in 1 to 1.5 volumes of 80 per cent.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by Simmons, W. H.

West Indian.—Specific gravity at 15° C., 0.948-0.967; optical rotation, +13° 30' to +30°; insoluble in 70 per cent. alcohol.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by Simmons, W. H.

West Indian.—Specific gravity at 15° C., 0.886-0.893; optical rotation, faintly lævo-gyrate; refractive index at 20° C., 1.4855-1.4876; soluble in 0.5 volume of 90 per cent. alcohol.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by Simmons, W. H.

Specific gravity at 15° C., 0.870-0.905; optical rotation, slightly dextro-rotatory up to +2°; soluble in 4-5 volumes of 70 per cent. alcohol.

From The Handbook of Soap Manufacture by Simmons, W. H.