Optical Activity and Mirror-Symmetry

Abstract

A misconception that non-chiral molecules have no optical activity at all is widespread. However, at molecular level even non-chiral molecules have optical activity. Optical activity of a non-chiral molecule is canceled out by that of another molecule in its mirror image in normal liquids. We describe the canceling mechanism by using mirror-symmetry of physical laws without resorting to detailed formulas. The description will be helpful for overcoming the misconception. Optical activity can be understood from the opposite viewpoint by the description. Aligned non-chiral molecules have optical activity.