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QuestionChemistry

If (S)-glyceraldehyde has a specific rotation of - 8.7 o , what is the specific rotation of (R)-glyceraldehyde? A) - 8.7 o b) + 8.7 o c) 0.0 o d) it cannot be determined with the information given
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Answer

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Step 1:
Let's solve this step by step:

Step 2:
: Understand Specific Rotation

Specific rotation is an optical property that describes how a chiral molecule rotates plane-polarized light. For enantiomers (mirror image molecules), specific rotations have equal magnitude but opposite signs.

Step 3:
: Analyze the Given Information

- We know the specific rotation of (S)-glyceraldehyde is $$-8.7°

Step 4:
: Determine the Specific Rotation of (R)-Glyceraldehyde

Therefore, the specific rotation of (R)-glyceraldehyde will be $$+8.7°
For enantiomers, the specific rotation will have: - The same absolute value - Opposite sign

Step 5:
: Verify the Options

c) $$0.0°$$ - Incorrect
Looking at the given choices: d) Cannot be determined - Incorrect

Final Answer

Key Insight: Enantiomers always have specific rotations of equal magnitude but opposite signs.