Question

Which among the following will show anisotropy?
A.Glass
B.Plastic
C.Barium Chloride
D.Wood

Answer 1

Hint: Anisotropy can be understood as the property of chemical species to show variations in certain characteristic properties of the species, if the sample of the chemical is observed from different axial orientations.

Complete Step-by-Step Answer:
Before we move forward with the solution of the given question, let us first understand some important basic concepts.
To put it in simple terms, we can say that anisotropy is a property of a substance which enables it to exhibit a difference in some characteristic properties, if the axial orientation of the molecule of the given sample is changed.
For a substance to show anisotropic behaviour, it must firstly have a fixed molecular geometry. These fixed molecular geometries are often observed in crystals, liquid crystals, and at times in some liquids. Another important parameter for exhibiting anisotropy is that the molecular structure should be geometrically asymmetrical. Now, let us discuss the options given to us:
1.Glass: Glass can be understood as a highly viscous liquid which often contains impurities in the process of manufacturing. Glass mainly consists of silica molecules which are not anisotropic in nature
2.Plastic: Plastics are long chained polymers which often do not terminate at a relative distance to the size of the monomer used. Because of this, plastics do not exhibit anisotropy.
3.Barium Chloride: Barium chloride has a crystalline structure and the geometry of this crystal is asymmetrical. Because of this Barium Chloride is anisotropic.
4.Wood: Wood by itself is not a pure substance, and is formed by the combination of several compounds like cellulose, starch, etc. Because of this, wood is not anisotropic.

Hence, Option C is the correct option

Note: Isotropy is the stark opposite of the concept of anisotropy. In isotropy, the given molecule is uniform in all axial orientations. This enables an isotropic molecule to exhibit the same values of characteristic properties, irrespective of the orientation of the molecule.