1. The phenomenon in which two or more chemical compounds have the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements of atoms, resulting in different chemical and physical properties.
Usage: chemistry; commonly used in organic and inorganic chemistry

Examples

• Isomerism explains why glucose and fructose have the same molecular formula but taste different.
• The study of isomerism is essential for understanding how molecular structure affects chemical behavior.
• Butane exhibits isomerism, existing as both n-butane and isobutane.
• Isomerism allows chemists to predict and explain the properties of different compounds with identical atomic compositions.
• Students learn about isomerism to understand why structural differences matter in chemistry.
• The concept of isomerism demonstrates that knowing only the molecular formula is insufficient to determine a compound's properties.