Sublimation vs. Vaporization: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 14, 2024
Sublimation is the transition of a substance from solid to gas without passing through a liquid phase, while vaporization is the process where a liquid turns into gas, either through evaporation or boiling.
Key Differences
Sublimation involves a direct change from solid to gas, as seen in dry ice turning into carbon dioxide gas. Vaporization, however, is the process of a liquid becoming a gas, like water turning into steam.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
In sublimation, particles gain enough energy to transition directly from a solid state to a gaseous state, bypassing the liquid stage. Vaporization can occur through evaporation at the surface or boiling throughout the liquid.
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Feb 14, 2024
Sublimation occurs under specific conditions of pressure and temperature, often at low pressures or when the substance does not naturally melt. Vaporization, on the other hand, is a common phenomenon for most liquids under standard conditions.
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Feb 14, 2024
Sublimation is used in freeze-drying processes, preserving materials by removing water directly from the solid phase. In contrast, vaporization is a key process in distillation, separating mixtures based on different boiling points.
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Feb 14, 2024
Sublimation is characteristic of substances like iodine or naphthalene, which transition to gas without a liquid phase. Vaporization is typical in everyday phenomena, such as the boiling of water or evaporation of sweat.
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Feb 14, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Application in Technology
Freeze-drying, sublimation printing
Distillation, evaporative cooling
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Feb 14, 2024
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Sublimation and Vaporization Definitions
Sublimation
Sublimation is the process of a solid directly vaporizing.
In sublimation, iodine crystals form purple vapors without melting.
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Jan 25, 2024
Vaporization
Vaporization includes boiling and evaporation of liquids.
The sun causes the vaporization of water from lakes.
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Jan 25, 2024
Sublimation
Sublimation is a solid-gas transition bypassing the liquid phase.
Frost on surfaces can sublimate into vapor on sunny days.
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Jan 25, 2024
Vaporization
Vaporization is the transition from liquid to gas phase.
Alcohol vaporizes quickly at room temperature.
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Sublimation
Sublimation is the direct change from a solid state to a gaseous state.
Naphthalene balls sublimate, leaving no residue.
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Jan 25, 2024
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Vaporization
Vaporization is the conversion of a liquid to a gas at its boiling point.
Vaporization occurs in a kettle when water reaches its boiling point.
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Jan 25, 2024
Sublimation
Sublimation is a phase transition from solid to gas without becoming liquid.
Dry ice sublimates, turning into carbon dioxide gas without melting.
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Jan 25, 2024
Vaporization
Vaporization is the process of turning a liquid into vapor.
Water vaporizes to steam when boiled.
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Jan 25, 2024
Sublimation
Sublimation is the vaporization of a solid without liquefaction.
The sublimation of frozen food in freeze-drying preserves its nutrients.
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Jan 25, 2024
Sublimation
To be transformed directly from the solid to the gaseous state or from the gaseous to the solid state without becoming a liquid.
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Jan 22, 2024
Sublimation
(Psychology) In psychoanalytic theory, to divert or modify (an instinctual impulse or drive) into an activity or interest of higher social value.
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Jan 22, 2024
Vaporization
The act or process of vaporizing, or the state of being converted into vapor; the artificial formation of vapor; specifically, the conversion of water into steam, as in a steam boiler.
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Jan 22, 2024
Sublimation
(chemistry) The transition of a substance from the solid phase directly to the vapor state such that it does not pass through the intermediate liquid phase.
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Jan 22, 2024
Sublimation
(psychology) The transformation of an impulse into something socially constructive.
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Jan 22, 2024
Vaporization
Vaporization is the liquid-gas phase transition.
Perfume vaporizes, spreading its fragrance in the air.
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Sublimation
The act or process of subliming, or the state or result of being sublimed.
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Jan 22, 2024
Sublimation
The act of heightening or improving; exaltation; elevation; purification.
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Jan 22, 2024
Sublimation
That which is sublimed; the product of a purifying process.
Religion is the perfection, refinement, and sublimation of morality.
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Jan 22, 2024
Sublimation
(chemistry) a change directly from the solid to the gaseous state without becoming liquid
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Jan 22, 2024
Sublimation
(psychology) modifying the natural expression of an impulse or instinct (especially a sexual one) to one that is socially acceptable
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Jan 22, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is sublimation a common process?
Sublimation is less common than vaporization and occurs under specific conditions.
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Feb 14, 2024
What uses does sublimation have?
Sublimation is used in freeze-drying food and making prints on fabrics and materials.
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Feb 14, 2024
What is sublimation in simple terms?
Sublimation is when a solid turns directly into gas without becoming liquid.
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Feb 14, 2024
Can all solids sublimate?
No, only certain solids like dry ice or iodine naturally sublimate under specific conditions.
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Feb 14, 2024
Is vaporization a cooling process?
Yes, vaporization can absorb heat, resulting in a cooling effect.
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Feb 14, 2024
What factors affect vaporization?
Temperature, pressure, and surface area affect the rate of vaporization.
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Feb 14, 2024
Do all liquids vaporize at the same rate?
No, the rate of vaporization varies based on the liquid's properties and environmental conditions.
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Feb 14, 2024
Are sublimation and deposition opposite processes?
Yes, sublimation is solid to gas, while deposition is gas to solid.
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Feb 14, 2024
What is vaporization in simple terms?
Vaporization is the process where a liquid turns into a gas, either through evaporation or boiling.
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Feb 14, 2024
Does temperature affect sublimation?
Yes, temperature and pressure play key roles in the sublimation process.
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Feb 14, 2024
Is sublimation reversible?
Yes, sublimation can be reversed, where the gas turns back into a solid, known as deposition.
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Feb 14, 2024
Is boiling water an example of vaporization?
Yes, boiling water is a classic example of vaporization.
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Feb 14, 2024
Does sublimation require energy input?
Yes, sublimation requires energy to change the phase of a solid to gas.
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Feb 14, 2024
Can vaporization occur under any temperature?
Vaporization occurs at various temperatures, but the rate is higher at higher temperatures.
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Feb 14, 2024
What is an example of vaporization in nature?
Evaporation of water from oceans and lakes is a natural example of vaporization.
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Feb 14, 2024
Is frost forming on windows a type of sublimation?
Yes, frost forming directly from vapor is an example of sublimation.
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Feb 14, 2024
Can pressure prevent vaporization?
Increased pressure can reduce the rate of vaporization.
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Feb 14, 2024
How is sublimation different from melting?
Sublimation bypasses the liquid phase, while melting is the transition from solid to liquid.
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Feb 14, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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