optical activity


noun Physical Chemistry.

the ability of a substance to rotate the plane of polarization of plane-polarized light.

Origin of optical activity

First recorded in 1875–80

British Dictionary definitions for optical activity

optical activity

noun

the ability of substances that are optical isomers to rotate the plane of polarization of a transmitted beam of plane-polarized light

Medical definitions for optical activity

optical activity

n.

The property of an asymmetrical molecule in solution to rotate the plane of polarized light either clockwise or counterclockwise.