What is sublimation and what is deposition?

Study for the Cambridge Science – States of Matter Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each question. Ready yourself for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is sublimation and what is deposition?

Explanation:
Sublimation is a change of state where a solid gains enough energy to overcome its intermolecular forces and becomes a gas directly, skipping the liquid phase. Because energy is put into the system, sublimation is endothermic. Deposition is the reverse: a gas loses energy and turns directly into a solid, releasing energy (exothermic). So the best description is solid turning directly into gas with energy absorbed, and the opposite process—gas to solid—releases energy, as seen when frost forms from water vapor.

Sublimation is a change of state where a solid gains enough energy to overcome its intermolecular forces and becomes a gas directly, skipping the liquid phase. Because energy is put into the system, sublimation is endothermic. Deposition is the reverse: a gas loses energy and turns directly into a solid, releasing energy (exothermic). So the best description is solid turning directly into gas with energy absorbed, and the opposite process—gas to solid—releases energy, as seen when frost forms from water vapor.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy