Deposition (phase Transition)

Deposition (phase Transition)

Deposition is a process in which gas transforms into solid (also known as desublimation). The reverse of deposition is sublimation.

One example of deposition is the process by which, in sub-freezing air, water vapor changes directly to ice without first becoming a liquid. This is how snow forms in clouds, as well as frost and hoar frost on the ground. Another example is when frost forms on a leaf. For deposition to occur, thermal energy must be removed from a gas. When the leaf becomes cold enough, water vapor in the air surrounding the leaf loses enough thermal energy to change into a solid. Deposition in water vapor occurs due to the pureness of the water vapor. The vapor has no foreign particles, and is therefore able to lose large amounts of energy before forming around something. When the leaf is introduced, the supercooled water vapor immediately begins to condensate, but by this point is already past the freezing point. This causes the water vapor to change directly into a solid.

Another example of physical deposition is the artificial process of physical vapor deposition, used to deposit thin films of various materials onto various surfaces.

Deposition releases energy and is an exothermic phase change.

Read more about Deposition (phase Transition):  Sublimation in Manufacturing