Explain using your own words:

1. What is an isotropic material? Give one example.

2. What is an anisotropic material? Give one example.
3. What is a transversely isotropic material? Give one example.

ANSWER:
Isotropic material is material that maintains the same physical properties
in all directions. Thus the material tends to act in the same pattern when
acted upon by forces in different directions. An example is a ball of clay
when pushed goes over the direction of force and yet maintains its
stiffness and strength properties and can always roll in a different and still
have its physical properties without undergoing physical change.
An anisotropic material is a material that exhibits different physical
properties in different directions when being acted by a force.
An example of an anisotropic material is a log of wood. When a log of
wood is impacted by a big hammer the log of wood breaks or bends to the
direction of force, assuming a different shape that can not return to its
initial state.
A transversally Isotropic material is a type of material that assume the
same physical properties in one direction and another physical property in
another direction when being acted upon with a force.
An example of a transversely Isotropic material is fiber-reinforced
plastics or laminated composites. Here the fiber-reinforced plastic has
fiber physical properties in one plane and also has a plastic properties in
another plane.