What occurs during the process of sublimation?

During the process of sublimation, a solid transitions directly into a gas without first passing through the liquid phase. This phenomenon occurs under specific conditions, typically at low pressure and/or high temperature, where the molecules of the solid gain enough energy to break free from their rigid structure and disperse into the air as gas.

An example of sublimation is dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), which changes directly into carbon dioxide gas at temperatures above its sublimation point. This process is different from melting, where a solid becomes a liquid, or boiling, where a liquid becomes a gas. In sublimation, the solid's molecular structure changes straight into gaseous form, which is what distinguishes it from other phase changes. This unique behavior highlights the versatility of matter under varying environmental conditions.