What process describes the transition from a solid state directly to a gas?

The process that describes the transition from a solid state directly to a gas is sublimation. This occurs when a solid absorbs enough energy to overcome the forces holding its particles together, allowing it to change into a gas without first becoming a liquid.

A common example of sublimation can be seen with dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), which sublimates at atmospheric pressure and transforms directly into carbon dioxide gas. This is distinct from other processes such as evaporation—where a liquid turns into a gas—or condensation—where a gas transitions back into a liquid. Precipitation refers to the process of water vapor forming droplets, leading to rain or snow, and does not involve a solid transitioning directly to a gas. Understanding sublimation is important in various scientific contexts, including materials science and meteorology.