Chirality
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2008-07-03T18:51:08Z
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/66.63.145.10|66.63.145.10]] to last version by Fleem (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{wiktionary}}
:''For the manga by [[Satoshi Urushihara]], see [[Chirality (manga)]].
'''Chirality''', or "'''handedness'''", ([[Greek language|Greek]], ''χειρ'', ''kheir'': "hand") is a property of asymmetry important in several branches of science.
An object or a system is called '''chiral''' if it differs from its [[mirror image]], and its mirror image cannot be [[wikt:superposed|superposed]] on the original object. A chiral object and its mirror image are called '''enantiomorphs''' (Greek ''opposite forms'') or, when referring to molecules, '''[[enantiomers]]'''. A non-chiral object is called '''achiral''' (sometimes also '''amphichiral''') and can be superposed on its mirror image.
'''Chirality''' may also refer to:
* [[Chirality (chemistry)]] of some molecules
* [[Chirality (mathematics)]] of mathematical objects
* [[Chirality (physics)]] of some subatomic particles
* The chirality of certain crystalline solids. Of the 230 existing [[space group]]s 65 are chiral. [[Sodium chlorate]] is an achiral ionic compound but crystallizes in a chiral P2<sub>1</sub>3 space group. An example of an achiral organic compound forming chiral crystals is [[benzil]]. [[Racemic acid]] is the [[racemic mixture|racemic]] form of tartaric acid forming a mixture of two enantiomorphic crystals each form consisting of one of the two enantiomers.
* The chirality of surfaces. Materials with bulk chirality can be cleaved exposing a chiral surface.
* [[Chirality (biology)]] of [[gastropod shell]]s. Most spirally coiled gastropod shells are "right-handed" in their coiling, but a minority are "left-handed".
* [[Chirality (manga)]]
==See also==
* [[Handedness]]
* [[Rigid body]]
* [[Symmetry]]
{{disambig}}
[[de:Chiralität]]
[[es:Quiralidad]]
[[fr:Chiralité]]
[[pl:Chiralność]]
[[ru:Хиральность]]
[[zh:對掌性]]