Two chemical molecules that are mirror images of each other - called chiral molecules - can often have a different taste or smell, while other properties cannot distinguish the two forms.

Use this in the classroom by using the two forms of limonene and you will note that one version smells of lemons, while the other smells of oranges. With carvone, one version smells of mint and the other of cardamom. 

Danny Clift, from St Angela's Ursuline School, shared this idea at our New Teacher Subject Days Chemistry Day 4 in London. Find out about our upcoming Science Events here and learn more about chirality here.

You can discover more of our Knowledge Nuggets and recent news from the PTI here.