Answer
See explanation
Work Step by Step
o, the given form of tartaric acid is not optically active although the compound has two chiral C atoms present. It is because the given form has a plane of symmetry present. If any plane of symmetry present in a molecule, it will be optically inactive. Plane of symmetry means if we cut the compound in two half vertically, we will see that the two parts are mirror image to each other.
Two optically active forms of tartaric acid are written below. They are enantiomers to each other.
See below picture to see the vertical plane of symmetry present in the optically inactive form of tartaric acid.
On the other hand, there is no plane of symmetry present in the two enantiomers of tartaric acid which are optically active.
