What is the physical change of state that is the opposite of deposition?

The physical change of state that is the opposite of deposition is sublimation. Deposition refers to the phase change where a gas transforms directly into a solid, bypassing the liquid phase, such as when frost forms on a cold surface during winter. Conversely, sublimation is the process where a solid transitions directly into a gas without first becoming a liquid. A common example of sublimation is dry ice, which is solid carbon dioxide that sublimates directly into carbon dioxide gas at room temperature.

Understanding this concept of phase changes is vital in HVAC systems, particularly in applications involving refrigerants and moisture control, as it highlights the behavior of substances under various temperature and pressure conditions. The other choices do pertain to different phase changes, but they do not serve as the opposite of deposition, thereby reinforcing the clarity between these processes and their specific contexts.