[Loael]

Okay, so I'm trying to study for the Olympiad and these two questions appeared:

Which process is exothermic?
A) Condensation
B) Fusion
C) Sublimation
D) Vaporization

The answer to this was A, so I assumed that fusion is an endothermic process.

Then this question comes up:

Rank the enthalpies of fusion, sublimation, an vaporization for water.

A) sublimation=vaporization=fusion
B) vaporization < sublimation < fusion
C) fusion < sublimation < vaporization
D) fusion < vaporization < sublimation

The answer to this was D.
This question really bothered me because shouldn't fusion have the HIGHER enthalpy value because it is endothermic? Please help me with this concept.

[Sunil Simha]

Fusion is the process of conversion of a solid to a liquid. It is endothermic but the energy required for this phase change is usually lesser than that required for converting a liquid into a gas i.e. vaporization.