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⚾️honors physics review

Sublimation

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Sublimation is the direct transition of a substance from the solid phase to the gas phase, without passing through the liquid phase. It is a phase change that occurs when the vapor pressure of a solid exceeds the pressure of the surrounding environment, allowing the solid to transform directly into a gas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Sublimation is a common phenomenon observed in everyday life, such as the disappearance of solid ice or dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) at room temperature.
  2. The rate of sublimation is influenced by factors such as temperature, pressure, and the surface area of the solid.
  3. Sublimation is an endothermic process, meaning it requires the input of energy to occur, and the energy absorbed during sublimation is known as the latent heat of sublimation.
  4. Sublimation is used in various industrial and scientific applications, such as freeze-drying, chemical vapor deposition, and the production of certain pharmaceuticals.
  5. The opposite of sublimation is deposition, which is the direct transition of a substance from the gas phase to the solid phase, without passing through the liquid phase.

Review Questions

  • Explain the relationship between sublimation and the concept of phase change.
    • Sublimation is a specific type of phase change, where a substance transitions directly from the solid phase to the gas phase, without passing through the liquid phase. This occurs when the vapor pressure of the solid exceeds the pressure of the surrounding environment, allowing the solid to transform into a gas. Sublimation is one of the three fundamental phase changes, along with melting (solid to liquid) and evaporation (liquid to gas), that are governed by the principles of thermodynamics and the behavior of molecules in different states of matter.
  • Describe the role of latent heat in the process of sublimation.
    • Latent heat plays a crucial role in the process of sublimation. Sublimation is an endothermic process, meaning it requires the input of energy to occur. The energy absorbed during the transition from the solid phase to the gas phase is known as the latent heat of sublimation. This latent heat is the energy required to break the intermolecular bonds within the solid and allow the molecules to transition to the gas phase. The amount of latent heat involved in sublimation is typically higher than the latent heat required for melting (solid to liquid) or evaporation (liquid to gas), as the process of transitioning directly from solid to gas requires more energy.
  • Analyze the factors that influence the rate of sublimation and explain how they affect the process.
    • The rate of sublimation is influenced by several factors, including temperature, pressure, and the surface area of the solid. Increasing the temperature of the solid increases the kinetic energy of the molecules, making it more likely for them to overcome the intermolecular forces and transition to the gas phase. Decreasing the surrounding pressure also promotes sublimation, as the lower pressure allows the solid's vapor pressure to exceed the environmental pressure, facilitating the direct transition to the gas state. Additionally, increasing the surface area of the solid, such as by breaking it into smaller pieces, provides more exposure for the molecules to escape the solid and enter the gas phase, thereby increasing the rate of sublimation. Understanding the factors that influence the rate of sublimation is crucial for various applications, such as freeze-drying and chemical vapor deposition, where controlling the sublimation process is essential.