isotropic
Same in all directions
Isotropic describes something whose properties are the same in all directions.
A material that conducts heat equally regardless of orientation is isotropic; one that conducts better along certain axes is anisotropic.
The term appears in physics, materials science, and cosmology: The cosmic microwave background is nearly isotropic.
Isotropic radiation spreads uniformly in all directions.
Identical throughout
- homogeneousAlike in composition throughout
- invariantRemaining always constant
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
- symmetricalEven on all sides
identical · equivalent · indistinguishable · equal · consistent · unvarying · balanced · even
Complete system or domain
- expansionIncrease in scope
- homogeneousAlike in composition throughout
- relativityHow observers differ
- spacetimeMerged dimensional framework
curvature · density · matter · radiation · dark energy · redshift · Hubble · Einstein
Wave bending between media
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- transmissionSending of information
- scatteringDistribution in many directions
- permittivityElectric polarization capacity
permeability · dielectric · optical · transparent · translucent · dispersion · lens · glass
Without distinct shape
- glassTransparent solid from sand
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
- gelWobbly semi-solid substance
- crystalOrdered-atom solid
vitreous · noncrystalline · silicon · ceramic · metal · alloy · composite · elastomer
Of three dimensions
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- latticeOpenwork of crossed strips
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- X-rayPenetrating diagnostic beam
crystal · structure · diamond · halite · fluorite · garnet · spinel · tetrahedral
Varying with orientation
- tensorMultilinear algebraic object
- fieldArea of specialty
- vectorQuantity with direction
- scalarQuantity with magnitude only
electromagnetic · acoustic · thermal · conductivity · elasticity · pressure · stress · strain
uniform
Identical throughout
- homogeneousAlike in composition throughout
- invariantRemaining always constant
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
symmetrical · identical · equivalent · indistinguishable · equal · consistent · unvarying · balanced · even · steady
universe
Complete system or domain
- expansionIncrease in scope
- homogeneousAlike in composition throughout
- relativityHow observers differ
spacetime · curvature · density · matter · radiation · dark energy · redshift · Hubble · Einstein · Big Bang
refraction
Wave bending between media
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- transmissionSending of information
- scatteringDistribution in many directions
permittivity · permeability · dielectric · optical · transparent · translucent · dispersion · lens · glass · medium
amorphous
Without distinct shape
crystal · vitreous · noncrystalline · silicon · ceramic · metal · alloy · composite · elastomer · rubber
cubic
Of three dimensions
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- latticeOpenwork of crossed strips
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
X-ray · crystal · structure · diamond · halite · fluorite · garnet · spinel · tetrahedral · octahedral
anisotropic
Varying with orientation
scalar · electromagnetic · acoustic · thermal · conductivity · elasticity · pressure · stress · strain · modulus
- metal propertiesmalleable, ductile, conductive, magnetic, brittle
- Chipmakingphotolithography, lithography, etching, clean room, cleanroom
- CT imagingscan, slice, gantry, detector, axial
- optical mineralogythin section, extinction, polarized light, anisotropic, biaxial
- Antennasdipole, monopole, helical, array, reflector
- bilinear formspositive definite, discriminant, signature, orthogonality, anisotropic
isotropicanisotropic
Varying with orientation
directional · oriented · heterogeneous · asymmetric · polarized