Difference Wiki

Isotropic vs. Anisotropic

The main difference between isotropic and anisotropic is that the isotropic is that the physical and chemical properties of the compound mainly not depend on the direction and dimensions, whereas the anisotropic is that the chemical and physical properties of the compounds mainly rest on the directions and dimensions.

Key Differences

Isotropic substances depend upon the direction of the materials; on the other hand, anisotropic substances depend upon the direction of the materials.
The optical, magnetic, and electronic like characteristics are absent in the isotropic substances; on the other hand, the other hand, the optical, magnetic, and electronic properties are present in the anisotropic properties.
Isotropic substances have only one value of the refractive index; on the other hand, anisotropic substances have more than one value of the refractive substances.
Samantha Walker
Sep 29, 2019
Isotropic properties are usually invariable; on the flip side, anisotropic properties are variable.
Isotropic substances are dark; on the flip side, anisotropic substances are bright.
Janet White
Sep 29, 2019
Isotropic substances lack the double refraction phenomenon while the anisotropic substances have a double refraction phenomenon.
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Cubic symmetry is present in the isotropic substances; on the contrary, no cubic symmetry in the anisotropic substances.
Harlon Moss
Sep 29, 2019
The radiation intensity is the same in all directions; on the opposite, thee radiation intensity is direction-dependent.
Samantha Walker
Sep 29, 2019
The term “iso” means equal; on the contrary, the term “Aniso” means unequal.
The speed of light in isotropic compounds is the same in all directions; on the flip side, the speed of light in anisotropic compounds is different in different directions.
The chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of isotropic compounds do not depend on the orientation of the crystals; on the other hand, the mechanical, chemical, and physical properties of anisotropic compounds depend on the orientation of the crystals.
Samantha Walker
Sep 29, 2019
The conduction of the electricity is independent of the direction of the materials; on the contrary, the conduction of the electricity is dependent on the direction.
Samantha Walker
Sep 29, 2019
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There is a strong chemical bond in the formula of the isotropic substances; on the other hand, there is a weak chemical bond in the formula of the anisotropic substances.
Isotropic materials include in amorphous substances like glasses, etc.; on the other hand, the anisotropic materials include in composite materials such as wood, etc.
Janet White
Sep 29, 2019
Lenses are the best application of the isotropic substances while the optical polarizers are the best application of the anisotropic substances.
Samantha Walker
Sep 29, 2019
Isotropic substances cannot pass the sunlight; on the other hand, anisotropic substances can pass the sunlight.
Harlon Moss
Sep 29, 2019

Comparison Chart

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The isotropic crystals have invariable properties.
The anisotropic crystals have variable properties.

Properties

Its properties are direction independent
Its properties are direction-dependent
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Refractive Index

It has an only refractive index
It has more than one refractive index

Characteristics

No special characteristics
Optical activity, dichroism, dispersion, birefringence

Applications

Lasers and windows
Wedges, polarizers, and waveplates

Chemical Bonding

Consistent
Inconsistent

Appearance

Dark in nature
Bright in nature
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Sep 29, 2019

Sunlight

No sunlight passes through it
Sunlight passes through it
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Sep 29, 2019

Velocity of Light

Same in all directions
Different in different directions
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Sep 29, 2019

Uses

Lenses
Polarizers
Harlon Moss
Sep 29, 2019

Double Refraction

This process is not common in isotropic
This process is common in anisotropic
Harlon Moss
Sep 29, 2019

Symmetry

Cubic
Not cubic
Aimie Carlson
Sep 29, 2019

Conduction of Electricity

Same in all directions
Different in different directions

Composition

Amorphous materials
Composite materials

Radiation Intensity

Same in all directions
Not the same in all directions but different in different directions
Janet White
Sep 29, 2019

Examples

Glass
Wood

Isotropic and Anisotropic Definitions

Isotropic

Identical in all directions; invariant with respect to direction.

Anisotropic

Not isotropic.

Isotropic

(physics) Having properties that are identical in all directions; exhibiting isotropy

Anisotropic

(Physics) Having properties that differ based on the direction of measurement.

Isotropic

(maths) Having the same components in all rotated coordinate systems

Anisotropic

Having properties that differ according to the direction of measurement; exhibiting anisotropy.
The crystal has an anisotropic structure, as it is stronger along its length than laterally.

Isotropic

Having the same properties in all directions; specifically, equally elastic in all directions.

Anisotropic

Not invariant with respect to direction;
Anisotropic crystals

Isotropic

Invariant with respect to direction

Isotropic vs. Anisotropic

Isotropic compounds are direction independent, whereas the anisotropic compounds are direction-dependent. Isotropic properties are known for their constant and invariable values; on the other hand; anisotropic properties are variable. Isotropic compounds have only one type of refractive index; on the flip side, anisotropic compounds have more than one type of refractive index.

The characteristics like optical activity, dispersion, birefringence, and dichroism are absent in isotropic compounds while the characteristics like optical activity, dispersion, birefringence, dichroism are present in the anisotropic compounds. Isotropic compounds have consistent chemical bonding in chemical reactions; on the other hand, anisotropic compounds have inconsistent chemical bonding in chemical reactions.

Isotropic compounds usually have a dark appearance in nature, whereas the anisotropic compounds usually have a bright appearance in nature. The isotropic compound does not have its ability to pass the sunlight through itself; on the flip side, the anisotropic compound has its ability to pass through the sunlight through itself.

The ability of conduction of electricity in isotropic compounds is the same in all directions; on the other hand, the ability of the conduction of electric current in anisotropic compounds is different in different directions. The speed of light in isotropic compounds is the same in all directions; on the flip side, the speed of light in anisotropic compounds is different in different directions.

The applications of isotropic compounds lie in lenses while the applications of anisotropic compounds lie in optical polarizers. The process of double refraction is absent in the isotropic compounds, whereas the process of refraction is present in the anisotropic compounds. The example of an isotropic substance is glass; on the flip side, the example of anisotropic compounds is wood.

The chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of isotropic compounds do not depend on the orientation of the crystals; on the other hand, the mechanical, chemical, and physical properties of anisotropic compounds depend on the orientation of the crystals. The radiations of the isotropic crystals have the same intensity in all the directions; on the flip side, the radiations of the anisotropic crystals do not have the same intensity in all the directions.

The term “iso” means equal; on the contrary, the term “Aniso” means unequal. Isotopic compounds have the cubic symmetry, whereas the anisotropic compounds do not have the cubic symmetry. Isotropic materials include in amorphous substances like glasses, etc.; on the other hand, the anisotropic materials include in composite materials such as wood, etc.

What is Isotropic?

The word isotropic means the same that refers to the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties that are same in all directions. The properties of isotropic are not direction-dependent. They are same in all ways and are constant. The composition of the isotopic crystals includes amorphous materials. The chemical bonding in isotropic usually refers to consistent behavior.

The cell walls of the plants always considered as the isotropic material whose different properties and characteristics are the same in all the directions. The cubic crystals usually include in the isotropic substances such as sodium salts and rock salts also are known for its invariable properties. The hardness or the solidity of the cubic crystals remain same whether the direction or the conditions of the solids are.

The optical properties are usually not present in the isotropic crystals as it is the property that depends on the directions of the atomic arrangements. The examples of isotropic are Glasses, Lead cables, Rock salt, Sodium salt, etc

Characteristics

  • Properties are direction-dependent.
  • Isotropic crystals have cubic symmetry.
  • The conduction of electricity is the same in all directions.
  • The force of radiation is not different in all directions.
  • Double refraction is not common in isotropic crystals.
  • It has no optical activity.
  • It has no dispersion effect.
  • It has no dichroism effect.
  • It has a dark presence in the landscape.
  • The velocity of sunlight is the same in every orientation.
  • Sunlight cannot pass through it.
  • The composition of isotropic is amorphous

Applications

  • Use in lasers
  • Use in windows
  • Used as a reference for antenna
  • Used in the isotopic radiators

What is Anisotropic?

The term anisotropic means not the same refers to the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties that varying with the change in position, place, and the orientation. It means all the properties of the anisotropic crystals are mainly the orientation-dependent. They are variable in different directions. The composition of the anisotropic crystals mainly includes composite materials.

The inner cytoplasm of the living cells of the organisms is mainly anisotropic who’s all the chemical, mechanical, and physical properties are continuously changing with the change in direction and dimensions because of the presence of the inter-cellular organelles in the cytoplasm. The examples of anisotropic are Wood, Cubic crystals, Gypsum, etc

Characteristics

  • Properties are direction independent.
  • Isotropic crystals do not have cubic symmetry.
  • The conduction of electricity is not the same in all directions.
  • The radiation force is not the same in all orientations.
  • Double refraction is common in isotropic crystals.
  • It has more than one refractive index.
  • It has optical activity.
  • It has a dispersion effect.
  • It has a dichroism effect.
  • It has a bright appearance in nature.
  • The velocity of light is different in all dimensions.
  • Sunlight can pass through it.
  • The composition of isotropic is of composite materials

Applications

  • Use for polarizers,
  • Use for optical waveplates,
  • Use for wedges,
  • Used in magnetic materials,
  • Used in electronic materials, etc.

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