system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
What is the difference between Polymorphism and Allotropy?
gpt
They basically describe the same thing, different solid structures for the same material, except allotropy is only for a single element while polymorphism refers to things like alloys and polymers. Graphite and diamond are *allotropes* of carbon, while calcite and aragonite are *polymorphs* of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). I’m pretty sure allotropes could also be called polymorphs, they’re just a special case.