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.
Shumaila Saeed
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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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Jan 25, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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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