Sublimation is a process where there is a thermal energy modification in the origin and ending energy states of the molecules or atoms associated. Many such processes reside in physics and chemistry that associate the input or output of thermal energy. If a process like sublimation were to give off heat, it will be hailed as an exothermic process. If the process were to take in heat, it will be hailed as an endothermic process.

This modification in energy state from the start to the end states is related to the total energy situation of the molecules or atoms, so knowing whether it is an exothermic or endothermic process gives a researcher an expression of the final energy state.

Is Sublimation Endothermic Or Exothermic?

Sublimation is the changeover of a substance straight from the solid to the gas state, without passing through the liquid state. Sublimation is an endothermic process that appears at temperatures and pressures below a substance’s triple point in its phase diagram, which correlates to the lowest pressure at which the substance can occur as a liquid. The reverse process of sublimation is deposition or desublimation, in which a substance passes straight from a gas to a solid phase.

Is Sublimation Endothermic Or Exothermic
Is Sublimation Endothermic Or Exothermic

Sublimation has also been applied as a generic term to describe a solid-to-gas transition (sublimation) pursued by a gas-to-solid transition (deposition). While vaporization from liquid to gas appears as evaporation from the surface if it occurs below the boiling point of the liquid, and as boiling with the construction of bubbles in the interior of the liquid if it appears at the boiling point, there is no such characteristic for the solid-to-gas transition which always appears as sublimation from the surface.

At normal pressures, most chemical aggregates and elements possess three disparate states at distinct temperatures. In these facts, the transition from the solid to the gaseous state expects an intermediate liquid state. The pressure assigned to is the partial pressure of the substance, not the total (e.g. atmospheric) pressure of the full system. So, all solids that possess a detectable vapor pressure at a certain temperature commonly can sublime in the air (e.g. water ice just below 0 °C). For some substances, such as carbon and arsenic, sublimation is much clearer than evaporation from the melt, because the pressure of their triple point is very high, and it is challenging to obtain them as liquids.

The term sublimation indicates a physical change of state and is not used to define the transformation of a solid to a gas in a chemical reaction. For example, the disengagement on heating of solid ammonium chloride into hydrogen chloride and ammonia is not sublimation but a chemical reaction. Correspondingly, the combustion of candles, containing paraffin wax, to carbon dioxide and water vapor is not sublimation but a chemical reaction with oxygen.

Sublimation is created by the absorption of heat which provides enough energy for some molecules to overcome the attractive forces of their neighbors and escape into the vapor phase. Since the process requires additional energy, it is an endothermic change. The enthalpy of sublimation (also called heat of sublimation) can be calculated by summing the enthalpy of fusion and the enthalpy of vaporization.

Energy Change Accompanies All Phase Changes

The question then pursues, what kind of change in energy accompanies each phase change? To learn this, think about the flow of the particles in each phase. You also need to realize how attracted the molecules are to each other within the phase.

Solids incorporate particles that aren’t moving so much as compared to a liquid or a gas. They have some thermal motion, but definitely not the same amount as a liquid or a gas. Only after boosting energy (or heat) do these particles initiate to move around faster.

Think about a piece of ice. The particles of water in the piece of ice are not moving much until the water starts to melt. What allows the water to melt? Well, it’s a supplement of heat.

What about when you boil water? You need to bring the water over a flame in order to add heat to the arrangement and have the water boil in order to make water vapor.

This input of energy is also sufficient to overcome the attractive forces that hold the particles together. Water is a good example of a substance that has consequential intermolecular forces carrying it together. Water likes to stick to itself through hydrogen bonding. Thus the energy that is input must be sufficient to have the molecules stop sticking to themselves so much.

This implies that as you move from solid to liquid to gas, all accompanying phase modifications require the input of heat. Thus, these phase changes are an example of an endothermic reaction.

On the other hand, changing from gas to liquid to solid requires the opposite: Heat must be released. These phase changes are hailed as exothermic reactions.

In order to form liquid water into ice, you must put the water into a cold environment so that heat leaves the water. Only then will the water freeze.

When your hand touches steam, you feel heat because the steam immediately condenses upon touching your skin. The release of energy is felt as heat as the water vapor goes to water.

Classify Each Change Of State(Melting, Freezing, Vaporization, Condensation, Sublimation, Deposition, Ionization, De-ionization) As Endothermic Or Exothermic

Here is how to classify the phase changes as endothermic or exothermic:

1. Phase Change Name: Freezing

  • Phase: Liquid to solid
  • Energy Change: Exothermic
  • Example: Freezing water

2.Phase Change Name: Melting

  • Phase: Solid to liquid
  • Energy Change: Endothermic
  • Example: Ice melting

3.Phase Change Name: Condensation

  • Phase: Gas to liquid
  • Energy Change: Exothermic
  • Example: Water vapor burns

4.Phase Change Name: Evaporation

  • Phase: Liquid to gas
  • Energy Change: Endothermic
  • Example: Boiling water

5.Phase Change Name: Sublimation

  • Phase: Solid to gas
  • Energy Change: Endothermic
  • Example: Dry ice

6.Phase Change Name: Deposition

  • Phase: Gas to solid
  • Energy Change: Exothermic
  • Example: Formation of frost

A good way to remember all of these is that opposite phase changes has opposite energy needs. If you know that from solid to liquid to gas requires the addition of heat (endothermic), that means you know that going from gas to liquid to solid requires the removal of heat (exothermic).

Is Sublimation Exothermic or Endothermic?

Sublimation is the process in which a substance transitions directly from the solid phase to the gas phase, without passing through the intermediate liquid phase. When discussing whether sublimation is exothermic or endothermic, we need to consider the energy changes involved in this process.

Sublimation involves the absorption or release of energy, depending on the specific substance and conditions. Let’s explore each of the following terms and their associated energy changes:

Is Sublimation an Endothermic or Exothermic Process?

In general, sublimation can be either endothermic or exothermic, depending on the substance involved. Endothermic processes absorb energy from the surroundings, while exothermic processes release energy to the surroundings.

For example, when solid iodine (I2) undergoes sublimation, it absorbs heat from the surroundings to break the intermolecular forces holding the solid together. This process is endothermic because it requires an input of energy to overcome these forces.

On the other hand, when solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) undergoes sublimation, it releases heat to the surroundings. The intermolecular forces in solid carbon dioxide are relatively weak, so as it transitions to the gas phase, energy is released, making this process exothermic.

Is Sublimation an Endothermic or Exothermic Reaction?

Sublimation is a physical process rather than a chemical reaction. It involves the phase transition of a substance without any changes in its chemical composition. Therefore, it would be more accurate to describe sublimation as an endothermic or exothermic process rather than a reaction.

Is Melting Endothermic or Exothermic?

Melting is the process in which a substance changes from a solid to a liquid phase. Similar to sublimation, melting can be either endothermic or exothermic, depending on the substance.

For example, when ice (solid water) melts, it absorbs heat from the surroundings, making it an endothermic process. The energy absorbed breaks the intermolecular forces holding the water molecules in a fixed lattice structure.

Conversely, when a substance like candle wax melts, it releases heat to the surroundings. The intermolecular forces holding the wax molecules together weaken, allowing them to move more freely in the liquid phase.

Is Deposition Endothermic or Exothermic?

Deposition is the reverse process of sublimation, where a substance transitions directly from the gas phase to the solid phase. Similar to sublimation, deposition can be either endothermic or exothermic.

For example, when water vapor undergoes deposition, it releases heat to the surroundings, forming ice crystals. The energy released during deposition allows the water vapor molecules to come together and form a solid structure.

Is Condensation Endothermic or Exothermic?

Condensation is the process in which a substance changes from the gas phase to the liquid phase. Condensation is an exothermic process because it releases energy to the surroundings.

For instance, when water vapor condenses on a cold surface, such as a glass of ice water, it releases heat. The gas molecules lose kinetic energy and come together to form liquid water droplets.

Is Freezing Endothermic or Exothermic?

Freezing is the process in which a substance changes from the liquid phase to the solid phase. Freezing can be either endothermic or exothermic, depending on the substance.

For example, when water freezes, it releases heat to the surroundings, making it an exothermic process. The energy released allows the water molecules to form a more ordered and stable solid structure.

However, there are exceptions. Certain substances, such as antifreeze solutions, exhibit “freezing-point depression,” where the freezing process is endothermic. In these cases, the addition of solutes lowers the freezing point of the solution, requiring the absorption of energy from the surroundings to solidify.

Is Vaporization Endothermic or Exothermic?

Vaporization refers to the process in which a substance changes from the liquid phase to the gas phase. Vaporization can be either endothermic or exothermic.

For example, when water boils and turns into steam, it absorbs heat from the surroundings. This process is known as endothermic vaporization because energy is required to break the intermolecular forces and convert the liquid water into gas.

Conversely, when a substance like rubbing alcohol evaporates, it releases heat to the surroundings, making it an exothermic process.

To summarize, the endothermic or exothermic nature of sublimation, melting, deposition, condensation, freezing, and vaporization depends on the specific substance and conditions involved. It is essential to consider the intermolecular forces and the energy changes associated with phase transitions to determine whether a process is endothermic or exothermic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sublimation Is Endothermic Or Exothermic

Is Sublimation Endothermic?

Sublimation Is An Endothermic Phase Transition That Occurs At Temperatures And Pressures Below The Triple Point Of A Chemical In The Phase Diagram.

Why Is Sublimation An Endothermic Reaction?

Sublimation Is Endothermic Because It Requires Energy To Convert A Solid Into A Gas. The Atoms Or Molecules In A Solid Substance Are Tightly Packed. In Order To Excite The Atoms Or Molecules Enough To Turn Into A Gas, Energy Must Be Added, Which Makes Sublimation An Endothermic Process.

Is Sublimation Of Dry Ice Is Endothermic Or Exothermic?

Sublimation Is The Process In Which A Substance Changes Its Physical State From Solid To Gas, Without Entering Liquid State. Thus, Sublimation Of Dry Ice Requires Input Of Heat Energy. Hence, It Is An Endothermic Process.

Is Sublimation An Example Of Endothermic Reaction?

Endothermic Reactions Absorb Heat To Bring On A Chemical Change. Photosynthesis, Evaporation, Sublimation, And Melting Ice Are Great Examples.

Is Snow A Sublimation?

For Those Of Us Interested In The Water Cycle, Sublimation Is Most Often Used To Describe The Process Of Snow And Ice Changing Into Water Vapor In The Air Without First Melting Into Water. The Opposite Of Sublimation Is “Deposition”, Where Water Vapor Changes Directly Into Icensuch A Snowflakes And Frost.

Why Is Sublimation Endothermic?

Sublimation is often endothermic because it requires an input of energy to break the intermolecular forces holding the solid together and convert it directly into a gas. These intermolecular forces, such as hydrogen bonds, dipole-dipole interactions, or van der Waals forces, are responsible for keeping the solid particles in a fixed lattice structure.

When sublimation occurs, the solid particles absorb energy from the surroundings to overcome these forces and transition into the gas phase. This absorption of energy is necessary to disrupt the attractive forces between the particles and enable them to move more freely.

The endothermic nature of sublimation can be observed in various substances. For example, solid iodine (I2) undergoes endothermic sublimation. When heated, the solid iodine crystals absorb heat energy, breaking the intermolecular forces and converting into a purple gas.

Why Sublimation of Dry Ice Is Endothermic?

Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide (CO2) at a temperature of -78.5 degrees Celsius (-109.3 degrees Fahrenheit). The sublimation of dry ice is endothermic due to the energy required to break the intermolecular forces in the solid CO2 structure.

In the case of dry ice, the intermolecular forces are relatively weak, consisting of van der Waals forces. As the temperature increases or when dry ice is exposed to higher temperatures, it absorbs heat energy from the surroundings. This energy input allows the solid carbon dioxide molecules to overcome the intermolecular forces and transition directly into the gaseous state.

The endothermic sublimation of dry ice is commonly observed when it is used for cooling purposes or creating special effects, such as fog or smoke. As the dry ice sublimes, it absorbs heat from its surroundings, leading to a decrease in temperature and the formation of a dense, fog-like gas.

Is Sublimation an Endothermic Process True or False?

The statement “Sublimation is an endothermic process” is generally true. Sublimation often requires an input of energy from the surroundings to overcome the intermolecular forces and convert a solid directly into a gas.

However, it’s important to note that there may be exceptions where sublimation can be exothermic. It depends on the specific substance and its intermolecular forces. Substances with strong intermolecular forces or highly ordered structures may exhibit exothermic sublimation if the formation of gas releases more energy than is required to break the intermolecular forces in the solid phase.

In most cases, sublimation is indeed an endothermic process, but the possibility of exothermic sublimation exists depending on the substance under consideration.