Allotropy

Allotropy is the presence of a chemical element in two or more types, each of which differs in the arrangement of atoms in crystalline solids or the presence of molecules with varied numbers of atoms. The occurrence of many crystal structures of an element is just the similar phenomenon that is known as polymorphism in the case of compounds. Allotropes can be monotropic, with one form being the most stable under all conditions, or enantiotropic, with multiple forms being stable under different conditions and undergoing reverse transitions from one to the next at specific temperatures and pressures.

What is Allotropy? 

Different versions of the same element are known as allotropes. Organisation of these several types may vary. Let us just talk about what allotropy means. The above sentence describes the allotropy process, which occurs when a chemical element exists in several forms. “Allotropy is the potential of an element to exist in more than one form,” says another allotropy definition. Physical qualities vary depending on the element’s shape. However, the chemical characteristics of these allotropic forms of elements are similar. Allotropes are the many forms that exist. Carbon, phosphorus, and sulphur are three well-known elements that display allotropy.

Example

Tin, carbon, sulphur, phosphorus, and oxygen are examples of elements that display allotropy. Sulphur and tin are enantiotropic. The result comes in two colours: grey, which is stable below 13.2 °C, and white, which is stable at greater temperatures. Sulphur crystallises into rhombic crystals below 95.5 degrees Celsius and monoclinic crystals between 95.5 degrees Celsius and the melting point (119 degrees Celsius). 

Monotropic elements include carbon, phosphorus, and oxygen. At normal conditions, graphite is more balanced than diamond, red phosphorus is more balanced than white, and diatomic oxygen (O2) is more balanced than triatomic oxygen (ozone, O3).Chemical symbol is a concise notation originating from a chemical element’s scientific name, such as S for sulphur and Si for silicon. The sign is sometimes taken from the Latin name—for example, Au stands for aurum, gold, and Na stands for natrium, sodium. The current chemical symbols represent the atomic theory of matter’s systematisation of chemistry. 

Following the alchemists in portraying the elements pictorially, the English chemist John Dalton made the critical step of allowing his symbols to denote single atoms of elements rather than indeterminate quantities.

Element which shows  allotropy in chemistry

1. Carbon
2. Phosphorus
3. Sulphur 

Let’s start with a definition of carbon allotropes.

Carbon exists in a variety of allotropic forms, including:

Diamond, graphite, and fullerene are examples of crystalline forms.

The micro-crystalline form is also known as the amorphous form. Coal, lampblack, and charcoal are among examples.

1. Diamond 

Diamond is a colourless, transparent carbon solid that is made up of carbon atoms. In the darkness, it gleams. Diamond is a material that does not transmit power. Whenever a diamond is burned to a high temperature, it generates just carbon dioxide. It demonstrates that a diamond is formed entirely of carbon atoms. It’s a high-priced complex. The covalent link connects each carbon atom in a diamond to the other four carbon atoms. In nature, these covalent connections are quite strong. On the vertices of the regular tetrahedron, each carbon atom is present. The arrangement of a diamond is extremely robust and inflexible. It’s used to make glass cutters and drills with a lot of power.

2. Graphite

Graphite is a carbon allotrope which is both an electrical conductor and a semimetal, unlike diamond. Under normal circumstances, graphite has been the most balanced form of carbon, and it is employed in thermochemistry to define the heat of production of carbon compounds. Natural graphite comes in three varieties:

Isolated, flat, plate-like particles with hexagonal edges make up crystalline flake graphite.

Amorphous graphite: fine particles formed by coal’s thermal metamorphism; also known as meta-anthracite.

Graphite in the form of a lump or a vein: It manifests as fibrous or acicular crystalline aggregates in fissure veins or fractures.

Now let us start with Allotropy of phosphorus. 

There are too many allotropic forms exists in phosphorus like there are mainly 3 forms that is :-

1. White phosphorus

White phosphorus is a kind of harmful (toxic) substance originated from phosphate containing rocks. 

2. Red phosphorus

Red phosphorus is made by white phosphorus . It is made by heating white phosphorus at 482° F in an inert atmosphere. 

3. Black phosphorus

It is an Allotropes of phosphorus consisting of many layers with two dimensional structure. 

Name a non-metal which shows Allotropy other than Carbon? 

There are several non-metal which show Allotropy other than carbon. Some of them are given below:- 

Note : PHOSPHOROUS, OXYGEN, SULPHUR AND SELENIUM ARE THE NON – METALS THAT SHOWS ALLOTROPY OTHER THAN CARBON.

Conclusion 

Allotropy is the presence of a chemical element in two or more types, each of which differs in the arrangement of atoms in crystalline solids or the presence of molecules with varied numbers of atoms. The occurrence of many crystal structures of an element is just the similar phenomenon that is known as polymorphism in the case of compounds. Carbon, phosphorus, and sulphur are three well-known elements that display allotropy. Example Tin, carbon, sulphur, phosphorus, and oxygen are examples of elements that display allotropy. Carbon exists in a variety of allotropic forms, including: Diamond, graphite, and fullerene are examples of crystalline forms.