inhomogeneous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "inhomogeneous" is correct and can be used in written English.
Generally, it is used to describe a material or mixture that does not have uniform composition throughout; for example, a cake batter that has not been mixed evenly could be described as "inhomogeneous." Example sentence: The inhomogeneous mixture of flour and sugar did not make a good cake.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Unfortunately, calculations carried out under the inhomogeneous hypothesis seem to indicate that conditions leading to the correct proportions of deuterium and helium-4 produce too much primordial lithium-7 to be compatible with measurements of the atmospheric compositions of the oldest stars.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One possible modification concerns models of so-called inhomogeneous nucleosynthesis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The melt has a tendency to be inhomogeneous, since the two liquids may try to separate by gravity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are also gabbro complexes that are locally streaky and inhomogeneous and are not regularly layered, as the large, basinlike intrusion at Sudbury, Ont., and some of the larger diabase sills (tabular intrusions), as at Beaver Bay, Minn . the Palisades, New Jersey; and many of the Karoo (Karroo) diabases in South Africa.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The result is a linear, inhomogeneous, second-order differential equation with well-known solutions for the charge Q as a function of time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The inhomogeneous magnetic field produces a force on the silver atoms in a direction that depends on the spin state of the atoms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Observations of the eclipsing binary 31 Cygni show that the K-type supergiant component has an extremely inhomogeneous, extended atmosphere composed of numerous blobs and filaments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He based this classification on his observation of the force exerted on substances in an inhomogeneous magnetic field.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When placed in an inhomogeneous field, matter is either attracted or repelled in the direction of the gradient of the field.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sometimes an inhomogeneous, composite structure is desired, as in cemented tungsten carbide cutting tools.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Sea ice is very inhomogeneous it's not like a flat slab," says Dr Storvold.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing materials or systems, use "inhomogeneous" to accurately convey the presence of non-uniform properties or compositions. This ensures clarity and precision in scientific and technical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "inhomogeneous" when you actually mean 'homogeneous'. "Inhomogeneous" signifies a lack of uniformity, while 'homogeneous' means uniform throughout. Double-check your intended meaning to ensure accurate usage.

Linguistic Context

The word "inhomogeneous" functions primarily as an adjective. It is used to describe nouns that lack uniformity or consistency in their composition, structure, or properties. As Ludwig indicates, it describes materials or systems that aren't uniform.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

38%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inhomogeneous" is an adjective used to describe something lacking uniformity, with its predominant function as a descriptor in scientific and formal contexts. Ludwig confirms the correctness of the term, indicating its common use in describing diverse fields such as cosmology, materials science, and physics. Its primary purpose is to convey the non-uniform nature of a subject, and while related to terms like "heterogeneous" and "non-uniform", it carries unique connotations and implications. Remember to distinguish it clearly from 'homogeneous' to avoid usage errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

non-uniform

Focuses on the lack of consistent form or structure.

heterogeneous

Emphasizes the presence of diverse elements within a whole.

uneven

Highlights the irregularities and disparities in distribution or quality.

patchy

Suggests a distribution characterized by scattered areas or spots.

inconsistent

Implies a lack of agreement or logical coherence.

varied

Indicates the presence of different types or forms.

mixed

Suggests a combination of different elements blended together.

disparate

Highlights the distinct and unrelated nature of the components.

conglomerate

Emphasizes a collection of different things combined into a single mass.

diverse

Focuses on the wide range of different qualities or characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "inhomogeneous" in a sentence?

You can use "inhomogeneous" to describe something that lacks uniformity. For example, "The mixture was inhomogeneous, with pockets of concentrated ingredients."

What's a good synonym for "inhomogeneous"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "heterogeneous", "non-uniform", or "uneven".

Is "inhomogeneous" the same as "heterogeneous"?

While similar, "inhomogeneous" generally emphasizes the lack of uniformity in a single substance or system, whereas "heterogeneous" focuses on the presence of distinctly different components within a mixture.

When is it appropriate to use "inhomogeneous" in scientific writing?

"Inhomogeneous" is appropriate in scientific writing when describing systems or materials with non-uniform properties, compositions, or distributions. This term provides precision when "non-uniform" conditions affect experimental results.