<P> Optical rotation or optical activity ( sometimes referred to as rotary polarization ) is the rotation of the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light as it travels through certain materials . Optical activity occurs only in chiral materials , those lacking microscopic mirror symmetry . Unlike other sources of birefringence which alter a beam 's state of polarization , optical activity can be observed in fluids . This can include gases or solutions of chiral molecules such as sugars , molecules with helical secondary structure such as some proteins , and also chiral liquid crystals . It can also be observed in chiral solids such as certain crystals with a rotation between adjacent crystal planes ( such as quartz ) or metamaterials . Rotation of light 's plane of polarization may also occur through the Faraday effect which involves a static magnetic field , however this is a distinct phenomenon that is not usually classified under `` optical activity . '' </P>
<P> Optical rotation or optical activity ( sometimes referred to as rotary polarization ) is the rotation of the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light as it travels through certain materials . Optical activity occurs only in chiral materials , those lacking microscopic mirror symmetry . Unlike other sources of birefringence which alter a beam 's state of polarization , optical activity can be observed in fluids . This can include gases or solutions of chiral molecules such as sugars , molecules with helical secondary structure such as some proteins , and also chiral liquid crystals . It can also be observed in chiral solids such as certain crystals with a rotation between adjacent crystal planes ( such as quartz ) or metamaterials . Rotation of light 's plane of polarization may also occur through the Faraday effect which involves a static magnetic field , however this is a distinct phenomenon that is not usually classified under `` optical activity . '' </P>
how do you know if a product is optically active
how do you know if a product is optically active
rotation of the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light
rotation of the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light