How do we define sublimation and boiling?

1 Answer
anor277
May 2, 2017

NO! I take it that you mean that "the sublimation point of solids" "is higher than the boiling point of LIQUIDS".

Explanation:

By definition, the boiling point is the temperature at which the VAPOUR PRESSURE of the LIQUID IS EQUAL to the AMBIENT PRESSURE, AND BUBBLES of VAPOUR FORM DIRECTLY in the LIQUID. The "normal boiling point" is when the ambient pressure is 1*atm. Of course we cannot compare the sublimation point of a given material with its boiling point because DIFFERENT conditions of pressure apply.

Sorry for all the shouting! But the truth is you must specify both a temperature and a pressure. And we cannot speak of the boiling point of a solid; solids transfer into the gas phase by "sublimation."

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