By Team Aakash Byju's
Allotropy is a chemical element that exists in two or more separate physical forms which are named allotropes.
Changes in temperature, pressure and even exposure to light cause elements to change from one allotrope to another.
When one of the forms is most stable under all conditions, allotropes are Monotropic.
Enantiotropic allotropes have multiple forms that are stable under different situations.
As a result, the stability of the various allotropes is dependent on certain conditions.
The physical and chemical properties of allotropes differ from one another.
For example: Diamond and Graphite are two allotropes of carbon with distinct appearances, hardness values and reactivities.
The molecular formulas of some element allotropes differ. For example: Dioxygen (O2) and Ozone (O3) exist as different allotropes in solid, liquid and gas phases.
The following are a few examples of allotropes for various elements:
– Carbon Allotropes: Diamond, Graphite. – Phosphorus Allotropes: White phosphorus, Red phosphorus. – Oxygen Allotropes: Dioxygen, Ozone.