what is symmetry in chemistry
Chemistry · Middle School · Wed Jan 13 2021
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In chemistry, symmetry refers to the balance and proportion of a molecule's structure and how its parts are arranged around a center or along an axis. When a molecule has symmetry, you can perform certain operations (like rotation, reflection or inversion) and the molecule appears unchanged. These operations are known as symmetry operations, and the corresponding symmetry elements are specific points, lines, or planes in the molecule. Symmetry in molecules is important because it helps determine many of a molecule's physical and chemical properties, such as its point group, which can affect how it interacts with light (spectroscopy), how it reacts with other chemicals, and its stability.