How Do You Spell CHIRALITY?

Pronunciation: [ka͡ɪɹˈalɪti] (IPA)

Chirality (/kaɪˈrælɪti/) is a term used to describe objects that are mirror images of each other but cannot be superimposed. The spelling of the word comes from the Greek word "cheir," meaning hand, and "allos," meaning other. This reflects the fact that the two mirror images, known as enantiomers, are like a right and left hand. The "ch" sound in chirality comes from the Greek letter "chi," which is pronounced as /k/. This explains why the word is spelled with a "ch" rather than a "k."

CHIRALITY Meaning and Definition

1. Chirality refers to a concept in chemistry and physics that describes the property of objects or molecules that are not superimposable on their mirror images. In other words, chirality encompasses the asymmetry or lack of symmetry in an object or molecule when it is divided into two parts, known as enantiomers or mirror images.

   The term chirality is derived from the Greek word "cheir," meaning "hand," as chirality is often explained using the analogy of hands and gloves. Just as a right hand cannot perfectly match or overlap a left hand, chirality implies that an object or molecule cannot be perfectly aligned with its mirror image.

   In organic chemistry, chirality is especially significant in terms of molecular structure and the behavior of chemical reactions. Organic molecules that contain an asymmetric carbon atom, known as a chiral center, are said to be chiral. The presence of chirality can greatly affect the properties and biological activity of a compound.

   Chirality is also crucial in the field of pharmacology. Many drugs are chiral compounds, and their biological activity can vary depending on their chirality. For instance, one enantiomer of a drug might exhibit therapeutic effects, while the other enantiomer could be toxic or ineffective. Chirality is also relevant in various other scientific fields, such as biology, physics, and materials science, and it has extensive applications in fields like drug design, molecular biology, catalysis, and nanotechnology.

Common Misspellings for CHIRALITY

• chiroligy
• curality
• chiraloty
• chireality
• chirrality
• chiralaty
• Chirilaty
• Chiralilty
• Cherality
• Chiralogo
• Chiralogy

Etymology of CHIRALITY

The word "chirality" is derived from the Greek word "kheir" (χείρ), meaning "hand" or "paw". It was introduced by Lord Kelvin in the late 19th century to describe the property of asymmetry between mirror-image objects, similar to the difference between the left and right hand. The term "chirality" is commonly used in chemistry and physics to refer to the property of molecules that cannot be superimposed onto their mirror image.

Plural form of CHIRALITY is CHIRALITIES