Question

What is sublimation? Give two examples of sublimates.

Answer 1

We can define sublimation as the transition of a substance from the solid phase to the gaseous phase without changing into the liquid phase

Examples of the sublimation process:

1. The best example of sublimation is dry ice which is a frozen form of carbon dioxide. When dry ice gets exposed to air, dry ice directly changes its phase from a solid state to a gaseous state which is visible as fog. Frozen carbon dioxide in its gaseous state is more stable than in its solid-state
2. Another well-known example of sublimation is naphthalene which is an organic compound. Naphthalene is usually found in pesticides such as mothballs. This organic compound sublimes due to the presence of non-polar molecules that are held by Van Der Waals intermolecular forces. At a temperature of 176°F naphthalene sublimes to form vapours. It desublimates at cool surfaces to form needle-like crystals.