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  

/ 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

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

Among the special may be named the parallelism between allotropy and isomerism; the numerous lines in the spectrum of each element; and the cyclical law of Newlands and Mendeljeff.

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

Instances of allotropy in pure metals are: Bolley's lead, which oxidizes readily in air; Schutzenberger's copper; Fritsche' tin, which falls to powder when exposed to exceptionally cold winter; Gore's antimony; Graham's palladium and allotropic nickel.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 799, April 25, 1891 by Various

The allotropy of selenium was first investigated by Berzelius; and more fully in 1851 by J.W.

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

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

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