12.6: Phase Changes Involving Solids

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Introduction

So far we have covered 4 phase transitions involving solids.

Sublimation (solid --> gas)
Deposition (gas--> solid)

Fusion (solid --> liquid)
Freezing (liquid --> solid)

Sublimation of Iodine

This Youtube shows Iodine subliming at room temperature (an endothermic process absorbing energy), and then they place a cold surface above it, and demonstrate deposition as the vapor converts directly to a solid (an exothermic process).

Carbon dioxide (dry ice) is another common substance that sublimes, and liquid carbon dioxide can not exist at atmospheric pressure. To better understand phase transitions you should read the next section on phase diagrams.

Robert E. Belford (University of Arkansas Little Rock; Department of Chemistry). The breadth, depth and veracity of this work is the responsibility of Robert E. Belford, rebelford@ualr.edu. You should contact him if you have any concerns. This material has both original contributions, and content built upon prior contributions of the LibreTexts Community and other resources, including but not limited to:

Images from Chris Schaller, Wikipedia