How crystals reveal hidden symmetry and the power of light
In Crystals, A. E. H. Tutton explains how crystals show optical activity, enantiomorphism, and the delicate balance between structure and property. The book uses clear examples to illustrate why the way a crystal arranges its parts matters as much as the parts themselves, from simple salts to complex organic compounds.
This edition frames the big ideas in approachable terms, connecting historical progress with modern understanding. It highlights how scientists test symmetry, measure optical rotation, and distinguish true racemic forms from pseudo-racemic ones without guessing.
- How optical activity relates to crystal symmetry and molecular arrangement
- Differences between racemic compounds, pseudo-racemic substances, and mixtures
- Real-world examples, including tartaric acids and calcium glycerate, to show concepts in action
- Techniques for testing symmetry and enantiomorphism through crystals and solutions
Ideal for readers of the history of crystallography, modern mineralogy, and anyone curious about how tiny structural details govern big physical effects.