Mirror Molecules


 

Many molecules differ in the same way a left and right hand differ. They are mirror images of each other. They are called stereoisomers.



The two molecules to the right look very similar, but their atoms are arranged in a different order. No matter which way you turn them, they will not match up perfectly.
Molecule #1
left Molecule 		Molecule #2
right Molecule

If we turn the molecule on the right around and look at it in the mirror, we can see that the mirror image of it looks just like the one on the left. Just like when you looked at your hands.
Molecule #1
left Molecule 		Molecule #2
right Molecule

 

Science Challenge:
With objects around your house build a pair of mirror molecules, and check your results in a mirror to be sure.



These molecules are made of the same atoms. Do they act the same?