CBSE Class 12-science Answered

Hi,

• It is a phenomenon showed by optically active compounds. Optically active compounds are two compounds having non-superimposable mirror image and which rotate plane of plane polarised light in opposite directions (one rotates it clockwise and other rotates it anticlockwise).
• An optically active compound should have at least one asymmetric chiral carbon atom.

• For example, Lactic acid 

• Optical isomers which are non-superimposable mirror images of each other are called enantiomers and the phenomenon is called enantiomerism.
• The enantiomers have identical physical and chemical properties but rotate the plane of polarized light in opposite directions but to the same extent.
• Enantiomer which can rotate the plane polarized light in right direction is called dextrorotatory and the other one which rotate plane polarized light in left direction is called laevorotatory.

Hope this Helps!!