Isomorphous literally means “having the same form”. The idea was first described by F. Beudant around 1800 (see Zoltai and Stout, 1984, p. 5-6) to describe crystals having the same form but having compositions between FeSO4 and ZnSO4. Thus, the term subsequently became commonly used to describe a series of crystals having continuously varying composition even where crystal faces are lacking. Such homogeneous chemical mixtures display a continuous range of properties, e.g., from the Fe to Zn end members. Such a series of solids is referred to as an “isomorphous substitution” series (archaic) or “solid solution” series.
Syn.; Isomorphic
See “solid solution” for additional discussion.