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Glite Dictionary
dextrorotation

dextrorotation

9.9
The clockwise turning of light that moves in one plane when it passes through a substance
  • noun
  • /ˌdɛkstroʊroʊˈteɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dextrorrotación
  • In optically active substances, dextrorotation occurs when the light is turned clockwise.

Examples

  • The direction of dextrorotation or levorotation helps identify certain molecules.

  • In certain reactions, dextrorotation indicates the presence of specific isomers.

  • The compound exhibits dextrorotation when dissolved in water.

  • The dextrorotation of the light was measured accurately.

  • In optically active substances, dextrorotation occurs when light is polarized and turned clockwise.

  • When the liquid was analyzed, it was found that it exhibited dextrorotation under polarized light.

  • In chemistry, dextrorotation is crucial for determining the configuration of chiral compounds.

Synonyms

clockwise rotation
vsdextrorotation
1 3.5

A movement that turns in the same direction as the hands of a clock

is used specifically for rightward turning of plane polarized light in science

Antonyms

levorotation
  • Specialized
9.9

The turning of polarized light to the left when you look toward the light source

Surface Forms

dextrorotation singular
dextrorotations plural

Morphology

dextrorotation = rotation (semi-transparent) = dextro + rotation

The combining form 'dextro-' means 'right', but it is a specialized scientific prefix that many learners will not recognize, so the meaning is partly recoverable but requires domain knowledge.

Etymology

Dextrorotation comes from Latin dexter ('right') and rotate ('to turn'), and you can see rotate in the English word rotation. So dextrorotation literally means a 'right' turning — in science it describes light that turns clockwise as it passes through some substances.