Sublimation vs. Deposition — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 26, 2023
Sublimation is the transition of a substance from a solid to a gas, while deposition is the change from a gas directly to a solid.
Difference Between Sublimation and Deposition
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sublimation is a process in which a solid material turns into a gas without passing through the liquid phase. On the contrary, deposition is the reverse of sublimation, where a gas transforms directly into a solid. Both are phase transitions, but they occur in opposite directions.
In sublimation, energy is absorbed by the substance as it transitions from solid to gas, which usually occurs under specific pressure and temperature conditions. Deposition, however, involves the release of energy as the substance transitions from a gas to a solid state.
A common example of sublimation is dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) turning into gas. Frost formation is an example of deposition, where water vapor in the air directly turns into ice without becoming liquid first.
Sublimation is often used in various industrial processes, such as freeze-drying food. Deposition has its applications too, such as in the formation of snowflakes and the manufacturing of certain electronic components.
Both sublimation and deposition are important in understanding the behavior of substances under different environmental conditions. While sublimation is a cooling process, deposition is a warming process in meteorological terms.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Solid to gas without liquid phase
Gas to solid without liquid phase
Energy Change
Absorbs energy
Releases energy
Example
Dry ice turning into gas
Water vapor turning into frost
Applications
Freeze-drying, sublimation printing
Snowflake formation, electronics manufacturing
Role in Nature
Cooling process
Warming process in meteorology
Compare with Definitions
Sublimation
Cooling process in meteorology.
The sublimation of snow cools the surrounding air.
Deposition
Process where gases solidify.
Deposition is used in manufacturing thin film coatings.
Sublimation
Process where solids vaporize.
Sublimation is observed when iodine crystals turn into gas.
Deposition
Release of energy during phase change.
In deposition, the gas releases heat as it becomes solid.
Sublimation
Absorption of energy during phase change.
In sublimation, the solid absorbs heat as it becomes gas.
Deposition
Warming process in meteorology.
The deposition of water vapor warms the surrounding air.
Sublimation
Solid turning directly into gas.
The sublimation of dry ice created a foggy effect.
Deposition
Gas turning directly into solid.
Frost on windows is due to the deposition of water vapor.
Sublimation
Phase transition without a liquid stage.
The sublimation of naphthalene in air fresheners is noticeable.
Deposition
Phase transition without a liquid stage.
The deposition of water vapor forms snowflakes.
Sublimation
To be transformed directly from the solid to the gaseous state or from the gaseous to the solid state without becoming a liquid.
Deposition
The act of deposing, as from high office.
Sublimation
(Chemistry) To cause (a solid or gas) to sublimate.
Deposition
The act of depositing, especially the laying down of matter by a natural process.
Sublimation
(Psychology) In psychoanalytic theory, to divert or modify (an instinctual impulse or drive) into an activity or interest of higher social value.
Deposition
Something deposited; a deposit.
Sublimation
(Chemistry) A product of sublimation.
Deposition
(Law) Sworn testimony recorded for use in court at a later date.
Sublimation
(chemistry) The transition of a substance from the solid phase directly to the vapor state such that it does not pass through the intermediate liquid phase.
Deposition
Deposition The removal of Jesus from the cross.
Sublimation
(psychology) The transformation of an impulse into something socially constructive.
Deposition
The removal of someone from office.
Sublimation
Elevation; exaltation; a making sublime.
Deposition
The act of depositing material, especially by a natural process; the resultant deposit.
Sublimation
The act or process of subliming, or the state or result of being sublimed.
Deposition
(chemistry) The production of a thin film of material onto an existing surface.
Sublimation
The act of heightening or improving; exaltation; elevation; purification.
Deposition
(legal) The process of taking sworn testimony out of court; the testimony so taken.
Sublimation
That which is sublimed; the product of a purifying process.
Religion is the perfection, refinement, and sublimation of morality.
Deposition
(meteorology) The formation of snow or frost directly from water vapor.
Sublimation
(chemistry) a change directly from the solid to the gaseous state without becoming liquid
Deposition
(physics) The transformation of a gas into a solid without an intermediate liquid phase (reverse of sublimation)
Sublimation
(psychology) modifying the natural expression of an impulse or instinct (especially a sexual one) to one that is socially acceptable
Deposition
(religion) The formal placement of relics in a church or shrine, and the feast day commemorating it.
Deposition
The act of depositing or deposing; the act of laying down or thrown down; precipitation.
The deposition of rough sand and rolled pebbles.
Deposition
The act of bringing before the mind; presentation.
The influence of princes upon the dispositions of their courts needs not the deposition of their examples, since it hath the authority of a known principle.
Deposition
The act of setting aside a sovereign or a public officer; deprivation of authority and dignity; displacement; removal.
Deposition
That which is deposited; matter laid or thrown down; sediment; alluvial matter; as, banks are sometimes depositions of alluvial matter.
Deposition
An opinion, example, or statement, laid down or asserted; a declaration.
Deposition
The act of laying down one's testimony in writing; also, testimony laid or taken down in writing, under oath or affirmation, before some competent officer, and in reply to interrogatories and cross-interrogatories.
Deposition
The natural process of laying down a deposit of something
Deposition
(law) a pretrial interrogation of a witness; usually done in a lawyer's office
Deposition
The act of putting something somewhere
Deposition
The act of deposing someone; removing a powerful person from a position or office
Common Curiosities
What is deposition?
Deposition is when a gas turns directly into a solid without becoming a liquid.
Can all solids sublimate?
No, not all solids can sublimate; it depends on their properties.
What is sublimation?
Sublimation is when a solid turns directly into a gas without becoming a liquid.
Is deposition a cooling process?
No, deposition is a warming process as the gas releases energy.
Is sublimation common in nature?
Yes, sublimation occurs naturally, like with snow and ice in dry conditions.
Can sublimation be used for drying?
Yes, freeze-drying food involves sublimation.
Is deposition used in technology?
Yes, deposition is used in manufacturing electronic components.
Is dry ice an example of sublimation?
Yes, dry ice sublimates from solid carbon dioxide to gas.
Can deposition occur at room temperature?
Yes, deposition can occur at room temperature under certain conditions.
Does sublimation require heat?
Yes, sublimation requires heat as the solid absorbs energy to become gas.
Is frost an example of deposition?
Yes, frost is formed by the deposition of water vapor.
Are snowflakes formed by deposition?
Yes, snowflakes are formed by the deposition of water vapor in clouds.
Can deposition create thin films?
Yes, deposition techniques are used to create thin films in manufacturing.
Does temperature affect sublimation?
Yes, sublimation typically occurs at low pressure and high temperature.
Does sublimation always require vacuum?
No, sublimation can occur in open air but is faster under vacuum.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
