isotropicadj.
/ʌɪsəʊˈtrɒpɪk/ Physics.
Exhibiting equal physical properties or actions (e.g. refraction of light, elasticity, conduction of heat or electricity) in all directions: opposed to æolotropic or anisotropic.
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the world > matter > physics > [adjective] > exhibiting equal physical properties
isotropic1864
the world > matter > chemistry > crystallography (general) > crystal (general) > crystal properties > [adjective] > isotropic
isotropic1864
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > refraction > [adjective] > exhibiting equal properties
isotropic1864
isotropous1885
1864 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. (citing Nichol).
1867 W. Thomson & P. G. Tait Treat. Nat. Philos. I. 518 The substance of a homogeneous solid is called isotropic when a spherical portion of it, tested by any physical agency, exhibits no difference in quality, however it is turned.
1879 F. Rutley Study of Rocks ix. 79 To distinguish singly-refracting or isotropic from doubly-refracting or anisotropic minerals.
1894 Naturalist 68 The rock further resembles certain of the Leinster granites in containing grains of isotropic garnet.
1896 Yale Univ. Grad. Course Instruct. 71 Propagation of light in isotropic and aeolotropic media.
Derivatives
isoˈtropically adv. equally in all directions.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > magnetism > [adverb] > equally or in all directions
isotropically1885
the world > matter > chemistry > crystallography (general) > crystal (general) > crystal properties > [adverb] > isotropically
isotropically1885
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrically induced magnetism > [adverb] > equally
isotropically1885
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > particle avoiding strong interaction > electron > [adverb]
isotropically1885
1885 Electrician 24 Jan. 220/1 If μ = constant, all space equally magnetisable isotropically, then B is the same multiple of H everywhere.
1946 Nature 5 Oct. 483/1 The crystal structure of silver is cubic and it expands isotropically.
1970 G. K. Woodgate Elem. Atomic Struct. vi. 98 The electrons are moving freely, with no forces acting on them, and their translational momenta can be taken to be directed isotropically in momentum space.
Categories »
isotrope adj. /ˈaɪsəʊtrəʊp/
/ˈaɪsəʊtrəʊp/ isotropous adj. /ˈaɪsəʊtrəʊpəs/ = main sense.
/ˈaɪsəʊtrəʊpəs/ = main sense.ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > refraction > [adjective] > exhibiting equal properties
isotropic1864
isotropous1885
1885 W. Stirling tr. L. Landois Text-bk. Human Physiol. II. 624 The contractile substance [of muscle fibres] doubly refracts light and is said to be anisotropous, while the ground-substance causes single refraction, and is isotropous.
isotropy n. /aɪˈsɒtrəpɪ/ the condition or quality of being isotropous.
/aɪˈsɒtrəpɪ/ the condition or quality of being isotropous.ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > [noun] > specific concepts or principles of > exhibition of equal physical properties
isotropy1888
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > transmission of electricity, conduction > non-conduction, insulation > [noun] > substance or contrivance > property of
tension1785
isotropy1888
power factor1892
1888 Ld. Rayleigh in London, Edinb., & Dublin Philos. Mag. 5th Ser. 26 242 There is involved no assumption as to the homogeneity or isotropy of the dielectric medium.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1864