Explain the term ‘chiral’ and ‘achiral’

Q. Explain the term ‘chiral’ and ‘achiral’.

Ans. When an object or molecule lacks a plane of symmetry and cannot be superimposed over its mirror image, it is said to be chiral. Thus a hand is chiral . A ball is symmetric and can be superimposed over its mirror image. It is therefore, referred to as achiral.