* Energy Input: The substance absorbs energy, usually in the form of heat. This energy causes the molecules within the solid to vibrate more rapidly.
* Breaking Bonds: As the vibrations become more intense, the bonds holding the molecules in a fixed, rigid structure (the solid state) weaken and eventually break.
* Increased Spacing: The molecules now have more freedom to move around. They spread out and occupy a much larger volume, characteristic of a gas.
* Change in State: The substance transitions from a solid, with a fixed shape and volume, to a gas, which takes on the shape and volume of its container.
Examples of Sublimation:
* Dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) sublimes directly into carbon dioxide gas.
* Mothballs (naphthalene) slowly sublimate, releasing a characteristic odor.
* Frozen water (ice) can sublimate in a cold, dry environment, like a freezer.
It's important to note that sublimation is different from evaporation, which is the transition from liquid to gas.
