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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: spirochete on January 23, 2017, 03:52:29 PM

Title: Why is path length measured in dm with specific rotation?
Post by: spirochete on January 23, 2017, 03:52:29 PM

One thing i've always wondered: why is path length reported in decimeters when specific rotation is calculated? It seems like such a random unit. Most other calculations use meters. Is it just so the numbers end up being relatively easy?

Title: Re: Why is path length measured in dm with specific rotation?
Post by: AWK on January 23, 2017, 04:41:49 PM

Imagine 1 meter tube without bubbles for measurements. This is simply long tradition.