What is polymorphism?
1 Answer
Polymorphism is the ability of a substance to exist in more than one crystal structure. Elements that are polymorphs are called allotropes, such as carbon and its allotropes of graphite, diamond, nanotubes, fullerenes, and soot, all of which are made up of carbon atoms.
Phosphorus also has polymorphism and there are several allotropes.
Pure phosphorus is polymorphic. This photo shows waxy white phosphorus (yellow cut), red phosphorus, violet phosphorus and black phosphorus. BXXXD, Tomihahndorf, Maksim, Materialscientist (Free Documentation License)
