What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vapourization
Example
The heat caused the water to undergo vapourization and turn into steam. [vapourization: noun]
Example
The chemist studied the vapourization rate of the liquid under different conditions. [vapourization: noun]
sublimation
Example
Dry ice undergoes sublimation, turning directly from a solid to a gas. [sublimation: noun]
Example
The chemist observed the sublimation of the solid compound in the vacuum chamber. [sublimation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vapourization is more commonly used than sublimation in everyday language, as it is a more common process that occurs naturally in various contexts. Sublimation is a less common process that requires specific conditions to occur.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vapourization and sublimation?
Both vapourization and sublimation are formal terms used in scientific fields, particularly in chemistry and physics.