High School Chemistry : Help with Sublimation and Deposition
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Example Question #503 : High School Chemistry
The transition from a solid to a gas is known as __________.
sublimation
an impossible process
evaporation
deposition
sublimation
Some substances will transition from a solid to a gas and skip the liquid phase entirely at standard conditions. This change from a solid to a gas is called sublimation. The reverse process of a gas going to a solid is known as deposition. As an example, solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) will sublimate to produce gaseous carbon dioxide at room temperature.
Evaporation is the process by which a liquid transitions to a gas.
Example Question #2 : Help With Sublimation And Deposition
Under which of the following conditions would ice be most likely to sublimate?
Low temperature and low pressure
High temperature and low pressure
High temperature and high pressure
Low temperature and high pressure
High temperature and low pressure
Sublimation refers to the phase change whereby a substance goes directly from solid to gas. At high temperature and pressure water will be more likely to melt and than evaporate. At low temperature and low pressure, the water will likely stay solid. Likewise at low temperature and high pressure. At high temperature and low pressure, the ice will be most likely to sublimate. This is clear if one looks at the phase diagram for water. High pressure makes it energetically favorable for water to melt before evaporating. Keeping the pressure low, however, makes it more favorable to pass straight into the gaseous phase.
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