Anisotropic Thermal Motion

Anisotropic thermal motion refers to the way atoms or molecules in a material vibrate differently along different directions due to their environment or bonding. Instead of moving equally in all directions (isotropic), their vibrations are more pronounced in some directions than others. This directional dependence influences properties like heat conduction and stability, especially in crystals. In essence, anisotropic thermal motion describes how the microscopic movements vary with direction, impacting the material's overall behavior in specific ways.