Question

What is the specific rotation of a sample of carvone that is an equal mixture of the R and S enantiomers

Answer 1

Answer:

Zero

Explanation:

An an equal mixture of the R and S enantiomers of carvone is called a racemic mixture.

In a racemic mixture, the R enantiomer rotates plane polarized light in one direction while the S enantiomer rotates plane polarized light in another direction.

This cancels out the rotation due to each enantiomer since they are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction leading to a specific rotation of zero for the racemic mixture.