The term chiral /ˈkaɪrəl/ describes an object, especially a molecule, which has or produces a non-superposable mirror image of itself. In chemistry, such a molecule is called an enantiomer or is said to exhibit chirality or enantiomerism. The term "chiral" comes from the Greek word for the human hand, which itself exhibits such non-superimposeability of the left hand precisely over the right. Due to the opposition of the fingers and thumbs, no matter how the two hands are oriented, it is impossible for both hands to exactly coincide.[1] Helices, chiral characteristics (properties), chiral media,[2] order, and symmetry all relate to the concept of left- and right-handedness.[3][4]
- ^ Prelog, Vladmir (1975-12-12). Chirality in Chemistry (PDF). Vol. 193. Zürich, Switzerland: ETH, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry. pp. 203–204. doi:10.1126/science.935852. PMID 935852. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ Lakhtakia, Akhlesh (1994). Beltrami Fields in Chiral Media. Singapore: World Scientific. Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ Zouhdi, Saïd; Ari Sihvola; Alexey P. Vinogradov (December 2008). Metamaterials and Plasmonics: Fundamentals, Modelling, Applications. New York: Springer-Verlag. pp. 3–10, Chap. 3, 106. ISBN 978-1-4020-9406-4.
- ^ Note: For more discussion regarding wave propagation and handedness see: Talk:Polarizer/Lengthy quotes