Sublimation: Activity No. 4

Activity No.
Sublimation
Group 4
Montes, Marie Therese Ann J.

Magan, Quinone
Mocorro, Maria Aiza L.
Obsioma, Jade A.
Perez, Jhonna lyn B.
BS Chemistry 2H1
Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1
Anorico, Nova Fe E.
November 8, 2021
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Rationale of the Experiment
Sublimation involves a change in state from the solid to the vapor or from the
vapor to the solid without directly going through the liquid phase. An example is
the vaporization of frozen carbon dioxide (dry ice) at ordinary atmospheric
pressure and temperature. The phenomenon is the result of vapour pressure and
temperature relationships (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2021). Other examples are iodine,
arsenic, and naphthalene.
Mothballs (or cakes, crystals, tablets, bars and flakes) contain either naphthalene
or paradichlorobenzene as active ingredients (Stone, D., 2008). Mothballs containing

naphthalene are used as insecticides. It gives off a toxic gas that kills mites or bugs that
are present in clothes. The smell of the toxic gas that the solid gives off is the vapor,
which means that the sublimation is taking place. The purpose of this experiment is to
demonstrate the sublimation of mothballs – from solid to vapor to solid crystals using
beakers and a test tube.
1.2 Objective of the Experiment
The aim of the experiment is to demonstrate the sublimation of mothballs. The

objectives are as follows:
1. To demonstrate the process of sublimation
2. To demonstrate the sublimation of mothballs
MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Materials
The materials that were used when conducting the experiment are 100-mL & 50-mL
beaker, Mothballs, Knife, Ice cubes, Wire Gauze, Iron Stand, Alcohol Lamp, Aluminum Foil
and Test Tube.
Figure 2.1 Experimental Set-up for mothballs sublimation
2.2 Procedure
a) Using Beaker
In a 100-mL beaker, mothballs crystal were broke with a knife and cut up into
smaller pieces. The crushed mothball crystal were placed in a 100mL beaker. Another
50mL beaker were then taken with ice inside, wipe the bottom of the 50 mL beaker
before inserting inside the 100 mL beaker. The beakers were placed on wire gauze on
an iron stand and heated using alcohol lamp to speed up the vaporization process.
Turn off the heat once the naphthalene melted. Remove the 50 mL beaker and record
observation. To prevent the vapor from escaping from the warm open-beaker, covered
the baker with an aluminum foil, and place it outside.
b) In a Test Tube
To demonstrate the sublimation on a smaller scale, put a small amount of
crushed mothballs in a test tube. Cover the test tube with aluminum foil to minimize
the release of vapors. Heat the test tube using the alcohol lamp. Record observation.
Figure 2.2 Sublimation

RESULTS AND ANAYSIS
This section analysis the sublimation process of mothballs. Phase transitions are
temperature and pressure dependent. Under normal circumstances, as described by kinetic
theory, adding heat causes the atoms within a solid to gain energy and loosen their bonds.
This usually results in the solid melting into liquid form, depending on the physical structure.
Sublimation, on the other hand, involves a direct phase shift from solid to liquid. Mothballs
were employed in the experiment to demonstrate the sublimation process. Mothballs are
made of naphthalene. Because naphthalene has weak intermolecular forces of attraction
between its molecules, it sublimes into a gaseous state without leaving any residue. The heat
generated by the water bath vaporizes the solids (sublime). The colder, smaller beakers force
the vaporized solids to condense, reverting them to their original state (crystals). Heat
absorption provides enough energy for some molecules to overcome their neighbors’
attraction forces and escape into the vapor phase, a process known as sublimation. It is an
endothermic transition, as it requires additional energy.
References
Course: Science - Class 9, Topic: Chapter 1 - Matter in Our Surroundings – 8. (n.d.).
Retrieved November 06, 2021, Education with Fun.

https://educationwithfun.com/course/view.php?id=70§ion=8
Easy, S. M. (2018, December 16). Sublimation of Mothballs. November 06, 2021, YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pTB70p50ug&feature=youtu.be
Nichols, L. (2021, August 4). 6.3A: Overview of Sublimation. Retrieved November 06, 2021,
Chemistry LibreTexts. Retrieved on Novemebr 7, 2021 from
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Organic_Chemistry/
Organic_Chemistry_Lab_Techniques_(Nichols)/
06%3A_Miscellaneous_Techniques/6.03%3A_Sublimation/6.3A
%3A_Overview_of_Sublimation
Stone, D., & Stock, T. (2020, October 20). There are alternatives to the dangers of
mothballs. Retrieved November 06, 2021, OSU Extension Service.

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/there-are-alternatives-dangers-mothballs
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2021b, October 22). sublimation | Definition,
Examples, & Facts. Retrieved November 06, 2021, Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/science/sublimation-phase-change

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Activity No.

Montes, Marie Therese Ann J.

Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1

1.1 Rationale of the Experiment

or paradichlorobenzene as active ingredients (Stone, D., 2008). Mothballs containing

1.2 Objective of the Experiment

The aim of the experiment is to demonstrate the sublimation of mothballs. The

Figure 2.1 Experimental Set-up for mothballs sublimation

Figure 2.2 Sublimation

Course: Science - Class 9, Topic: Chapter 1 - Matter in Our Surroundings – 8. (n.d.).

Retrieved November 06, 2021, Education with Fun.

Chemistry LibreTexts. Retrieved on Novemebr 7, 2021 from

mothballs. Retrieved November 06, 2021, OSU Extension Service.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2021b, October 22). sublimation | Definition,

Examples, & Facts. Retrieved November 06, 2021, Encyclopedia Britannica.

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