Which term describes the transition directly from a solid to a gas?

The term that describes the transition directly from a solid to a gas is sublimation. This process occurs when a solid absorbs enough energy to change its state without first becoming a liquid. A common example of sublimation is dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), which turns directly into carbon dioxide gas at room temperature.

Understanding sublimation is important in various fields, including chemistry and physics, and can also have practical applications in areas such as freeze-drying, where moisture is removed from a product through sublimation to preserve it.

Other related terms like deposition, evaporation, and condensation involve different state changes. Deposition refers to the direct transition from gas to solid, evaporation is the process where a liquid turns into a gas, and condensation is the process of gas converting back to a liquid. Recognizing these definitions can help clarify the distinct characteristics of each phase change.