Question

What is the specific rotation of s carvone at 20°C?

Answer 1

The specific rotation of s-carvone at 20°C is approximately +61°.

Step-by-step explanation:

S-carvone is an optically active compound, and its specific rotation is a measure of the extent to which it rotates plane-polarized light. The specific rotation
`(\([α]_(20°C)\))` is defined as the angle in degrees through which plane-polarized light is rotated when it passes through a solution of 1 gram of the substance in 1 milliliter of solvent, measured at a temperature of 20°C. In the case of s-carvone, the specific rotation is reported to be around +61°.

The positive sign indicates that s-carvone is dextrorotatory, meaning it rotates plane-polarized light in a clockwise direction. This optical activity is due to the asymmetrical arrangement of atoms in the molecule. The specific rotation value is a characteristic property of a compound and can be used to identify and quantify the substance in a sample.

To determine the specific rotation experimentally, a polarimeter is used. The observed angle of rotation is corrected for factors like concentration and cell length to obtain the specific rotation. The formula for specific rotation is given by:
`\([α]_(20°C) = (Observed\;rotation)/(Concentration * Length\;of\;the\;tube)\)`. In the case of s-carvone at 20°C, the observed rotation would be approximately +61° under standard conditions.