allotrope
Meaning: One of two or more structurally distinct forms in which a chemical element can exist, differing in the arrangement of atoms rather than in chemical composition.
Allotropy is a fundamental concept in chemistry and materials science. The classic example is carbon, which exists as diamond, graphite, and fullerenes — all pure carbon but with radically different properties due to their atomic arrangements. Oxygen (O₂) and ozone (O₃) are allotropes of the same element. Understanding allotropy is essential in materials engineering, where the choice of allotrope determines hardness, conductivity, and other physical properties. The phenomenon is distinct from isomerism, which involves compounds rather than elements.
Examples
- Diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon, yet their physical properties could scarcely be more different. 金刚石和石墨是碳的同素异形体,然而它们的物理性质几乎截然相反。El diamante y el grafito son alótropos del carbono, pero sus propiedades físicas difícilmente podrían ser más diferentes.ダイヤモンドとグラファイトは炭素の同素体であるが、その物理的性質はこれ以上ないほど異なっている。다이아몬드와 흑연은 탄소의 동소체이지만, 그 물리적 성질은 이보다 더 다를 수 없을 정도로 상이하다.
- The discovery of buckminsterfullerene in 1985 revealed a new allotrope of carbon with a distinctive cage-like molecular structure. 1985年巴克明斯特富勒烯的发现揭示了碳的一种新同素异形体,具有独特的笼状分子结构。El descubrimiento del buckminsterfullereno en 1985 reveló un nuevo alótropo del carbono con una estructura molecular distintiva en forma de jaula.1985年のバックミンスターフラーレンの発見により、独特な籠状分子構造を持つ炭素の新たな同素体が明らかになった。1985년 버크민스터풀러렌의 발견은 독특한 새장 모양의 분자 구조를 가진 탄소의 새로운 동소체를 밝혀냈다.
- Students were asked to explain why different allotropes of the same element can exhibit such varied electrical conductivity. 学生们被要求解释为什么同一元素的不同同素异形体会表现出如此不同的导电性。Se pidió a los estudiantes que explicasen por qué distintos alótropos del mismo elemento pueden presentar una conductividad eléctrica tan variada.学生たちは、同じ元素の異なる同素体がなぜこれほど異なる導電性を示し得るのかを説明するよう求められた。학생들은 같은 원소의 서로 다른 동소체가 왜 그토록 다양한 전기 전도도를 보일 수 있는지 설명하도록 요구받았다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: science, academic, education
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Greek allotropia (variability), from allos (other) and tropos (manner, way). The term was coined by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1841.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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