Science, Tech, Math › Science Nonvolatile Definition in Chemistry Print WLADIMIR BULGAR / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on October 06, 2019 In chemistry, the term nonvolatile refers to a substance that does not readily evaporate into gas under existing conditions. In other words, a nonvolatile material exerts a low vapor pressure and has a slow rate of evaporation. Read More What Is a Volatile Substance in Chemistry? By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Examples Glycerin (C3H8O3) is a nonvolatile liquid. Sugar (sucrose) and salt (sodium chloride) are nonvolatile solids. It's probably easier to imagine a nonvolatile substance if you consider the properties of materials that are volatile. Examples include alcohol, mercury, gasoline, and perfume. Volatile substances readily release their molecules into the air. You typically don't smell nonvolatile materials because they don't easily convert from liquids or solids into gases. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Nonvolatile Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-nonvolatile-605415. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 26). Nonvolatile Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-nonvolatile-605415 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Nonvolatile Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-nonvolatile-605415 (accessed April 24, 2024). copy citation