Question

The substance which can readily sublime is:

• A. Ammonium Chloride
• B. Sodium Chloride
• C. Hydrochloric acid
• D. Chlorine gas

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Ammonium Chloride

Explanation for correct answer:

a. Ammonium Chloride

• Sublimation: The process of change of solid state directly to gaseous state without changing into liquid state or vice versa is called sublimation.
• Ammonium Chloride when heated changes into vapour without getting changed into liquid. Thus Ammonium Chloride sublimes on heating.

Explanation for incorrect answers:

b. Sodium Chloride

1. Ionic solid sodium chloride has high melting and boiling points.
2. As a result, it cannot change in the vapor phase at atmospheric pressure and so cannot sublime.

c. Hydrochloric acid -

• Hydrochloric acid is liquid.
• Sublimation of hydrochloric acid is not possible as sublimation is possible only of solid or gas.

d. Chlorine gas - Chlorine gas cannot convert itself from vapor to solid at atmospheric pressure. Hence, it cannot sublime.

Hence, option a) is the correct answer.