State changes: evaporation and sublimation
I can explain the processes of sublimation, deposition, and evaporation, and discuss the energy changes involved in these state changes.
State changes: evaporation and sublimation
I can explain the processes of sublimation, deposition, and evaporation, and discuss the energy changes involved in these state changes.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Sublimation is the change from solid to gas; deposition is the change from gas to solid, both bypass the liquid state.
- Sublimation and deposition occur at specific conditions of temperature and pressure.
- Energy changes in sublimation/deposition are similar to melting/freezing but happen directly between solid and gas.
- Evaporation is when a liquid changes to gas at the surface as particles gain enough energy to overcome forces.
Keywords
Evaporation - when a particle of a substance in the liquid state at the surface, has enough energy to change to the gas state and mix with air.
Sublimation - a change of state of a substance from a solid directly to a gas; e.g. iodine.
Deposition - when a substance changes from the gas state to the solid state without being in the liquid state.
Common misconception
Pupils think that substances need to be at their boiling point temperature to evaporate.
Use plenty of real life examples of liquids evaporating in situations where pupils know that the liquid is not above its boiling point but still evaporates.
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: State changes: evaporation and sublimation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: State changes: evaporation and sublimation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the States of matter unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Microscope slides, beakers, ice, warm water/electric water baths, pipettes, propanone, stop clock.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
sublimation
condensation
deposition
boiling and/or evaporation
melting
freezing
when a substance in gas state is cooled and changes to liquid state
a change of state of a substance from a gas directly to a solid
if surface particle in liquid has enough energy to change to gas state
a change of state of a substance from a solid directly to a gas