The opposite of hoarfrost is sublimation.
Hoarfrost forms through deposition, where water vapor changes directly into ice crystals without first becoming liquid. Sublimation is the reverse process, where ice transitions directly into water vapor, skipping the liquid phase.
Here's a breakdown:
- Hoarfrost Formation (Deposition): Water vapor → Ice (Solid)
- Sublimation: Ice (Solid) → Water Vapor
Think of it this way: Hoarfrost is like a solid "output" from vapor, while sublimation is like a solid "input" that produces vapor. The process involves a change of state without the intermediate liquid phase.
Therefore, since hoarfrost is formed through the direct freezing of water vapor, the process of ice directly evaporating into vapor is its opposite, and that is called sublimation.
