Allotrope
When an element exists in two or more different forms - whether as a solid, liquid or gas - it is called an allotrope. In other words, the element exists in various forms that share a similar chemical structure but differ in some way.
Carbon has various allotropes, including diamond, graphene, graphite and charcoal.
Allotropes can themselves form the basic structural elements of other allotropes. For instance, graphene is an allotrope of carbon, but graphene itself forms the basic structural element of other allotropes such as graphite and charcoal.
The ability of a material to be able to exist in one or more such forms is called allotropy.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Why construction can't afford to ignore the skills gap.
Building Safety Regulator, 19 August
Gill Kernick appointed Independent Chair of Residents’ Panel.
Connecting knowledge, technology and conservation
Building competence for the future of built heritage.
Building Regulations and Building Safety Act
CIOB publishes free advice for non-domestic clients.
Building Safety Newsletter from MHCLG.
An extraordinary record of steel engineering worldwide.
Households living near new pylons to save on bills.
ECA warns growth must not outpace grid capacity or skills.
The role of the client and decision making
CIOB response to built environment professions call for evidence.
Construction's sustainability reporting revolution
Tracking upfront embodied carbon with digital tools.
ECA welcomes procurement reforms
Public spending must back British jobs and skills.
Campaigning for Edinburgh: the Cockburn Association 1875-2049
The role of the civic voice in protecting character. Book review.