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

Its specific gravity at 15° C. is 0.9795; optical rotation, -18°; and refractive index at 20° C., 1.507.

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

Specific gravity at 30° C., 0.967-0.975; optical rotation, -4° 30' to -7°; refractive index at 20° C., 1.506-1.507; soluble in 3 to 5 volumes of 70 per cent. alcohol.

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

Specific gravity at 15° C., 0.849-0.852; optical rotation, +95° to +99°; refractive index at 20° C., 1.4726-1.4732.

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

Spanish.—Specific gravity at 15° C., 0.955-0.966; optical rotation, slightly lævo-gyrate; phenols, 70-80 per cent.; refractive index at 20° C.; 1.5088-1.5122; soluble in 2-3 volumes of 70 per cent. alcohol.

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

Java Citronella Oil.—Specific gravity at 15° C., 0.890-0.901; optical rotation, -1° to -6°; total acetylisable constituents, calculated as geraniol, 75-90 per cent.; soluble in 1-2 volumes of 80 per cent. alcohol.

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