A student is interested in the optical properties of chiral [KYE-ruhl] molecules, so she successively performs a chlorination, bromination [broh-min-AY-shun], and an

iodination [eye-oh-dah-NAY-shun] of methane. However, she is disappointed to find out that the resulting product demonstrates no optical rotation of polarized light. Which of the following best explains this?

W) She prepared a racemic [ray-SEEM-ik] mixture

X) Only certain chiral [KYE-ruhl] molecules demonstrate optical rotation

Y) Geometric isomers demonstrate optical rotation, not stereoisomers [stereo-EYE-soh-murs]

Z) Only larger, more complex chiral molecules demonstrate optical rotation
W) SHE PREPARED A RACEMIC MIXTURE