Discover and explore real-world sublimation examples — from dry ice fog to iodine crystals. Search, filter, and calculate properties instantly.
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Dry ice (solid CO₂) is the most commonly known example. It sublimes at -78.5°C at atmospheric pressure, producing the famous fog effect used in stage shows and food preservation.
Yes! In cold, dry climates, snow can sublimate directly into water vapor without ever becoming liquid water. This is why snowbanks shrink even when temperatures stay below freezing — a process called ablation.
Iodine vapor appears purple because iodine molecules absorb yellow-green wavelengths of visible light. The remaining transmitted light appears as a striking violet/purple color, making it one of the most visually dramatic sublimation examples.
The key factor is the substance's triple point pressure. If the triple point pressure is above atmospheric pressure (like CO₂ at 5.18 atm), the substance will always sublimate at normal conditions. Weak intermolecular forces also promote sublimation.
Naphthalene mothballs have a relatively low sublimation point of 80.2°C, but they have measurable vapor pressure even at room temperature. This means they slowly sublimate over weeks/months, releasing the characteristic mothball smell as they shrink.
Absolutely! Sublimation is very common in space due to the vacuum conditions. Comet tails form when solar radiation sublimes surface ices. Mars' polar ice caps undergo seasonal CO₂ sublimation, and water ice on the Moon's surface sublimes in direct sunlight.