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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.
Sublimation vs. Deposition — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Sublimation and Deposition

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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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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba 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.

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