allotropy

American  

[uh-lo-truh-pee] / əˈlɒ trə pi /

Or allotropism

noun

Chemistry.

1. a property of certain elements, as carbon, sulfur, and phosphorus, of existing in two or more distinct forms; allomorphism.

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allotropy British  

/ ˌæləˈtrɒpɪk, əˈlɒtrəpɪ /

noun

1. the existence of an element in two or more physical forms. The most common elements having this property are carbon, sulphur, and phosphorus

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Other Word Forms

• allotropic
  adjective
• allotropically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of allotropy

First recorded in 1840–50; allo- + -tropy

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

allotropy

And this hypothesis is entirely in harmony with the phenomena of allotropy.

From Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I by Herbert Spencer

Theory of Allotropy.—The last three experiments well illustrate allotropy.

From An Introduction to Chemical Science by Rufus Phillips Williams

The term allotropy has also been applied to inorganic compounds, identical in composition, but assuming different crystallographic forms.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

Before leaving this phase of inorganic chemistry, we may mention other historical examples of allotropy.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

How many it has in the allotropic forms, as a solid, is beyond our knowledge; but it seems quite likely that allotropy is due to some change of molecular structure.

From An Introduction to Chemical Science by Rufus Phillips Williams