3.3.7
Optical
Isomerism
Section 3.3.7 covers optical isomerism as a form of stereoisomerism: an asymmetric carbon atom is chiral and gives rise to enantiomers, which are non-superimposable mirror images that differ in their effect on plane polarised light; a racemic mixture (racemate) contains equal amounts of the two enantiomers; and the structural and displayed formulas of enantiomers are drawn.
Revision Notes
2 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.
Optical Isomerism and Chirality
Optical isomerism and chirality: chiral centres, asymmetric carbon atoms, enantiomers as non-superimposable mirror images and drawing 3D diagrams.
Start revising
Optical Activity and Racemic Mixtures
Optical activity: plane-polarised light, enantiomers, racemic mixtures and why some reactions give racemates.
Start revisingSummary Map
Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.
Summary map
Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.
Optical Isomerism Map
AQA A-level Chemistry · 3.3.7 Optical isomerism
The whole section on one A4 page: chiral centres, enantiomers, drawing in 3D, plane-polarised light, racemic mixtures and where racemates come from.
© 2026 Online Learning System. For personal study: printing is allowed; editing, copying and redistribution are not.
Virtual Lessons
Recorded video lessons that teach the topic step by step.
The Virtual Lessons for 3.3.7 Optical isomerism are being recorded.
MCQ Bank
Multiple-choice papers on this topic, marked the moment you submit.
The MCQ papers for 3.3.7 Optical isomerism are being written.
SAQ Bank
Written, drawn and worked exam practice on this topic.
The exam practice papers for 3.3.7 Optical isomerism are being written.
Revision Game
Match reagents to products, with your board's reagents and conditions.
The revision game for 3.3.7 Optical isomerism is being built.
Study Cards
Pick a deck, then turn each card to check what you remember.
Specification
Every specification point in this topic, in the exam board's own words. Rate how confident you are with each one.
Self-assessment · 8 points
Sign in to rate how confident you feel about each point. Your ratings are saved to your account, follow you to any device, and appear beside your KASP analytics, kept apart from your marks.
3.3.7
- i
know that optical isomerism is a form of stereoisomerism arising from chirality, limited to molecules with a single chiral centre
Revise
Keep this note — free
Save your progress across every AQA topic. A free account remembers which topics you have covered, saves your question scores, and syncs across your phone and laptop.
- Track every topic you have finished
- Keep your practice-question scores
- No payment, no card, free forever
Already registered? Log in