The sublimation of dry ice, which is solid carbon dioxide (CO2), can be represented by the following equation:
CO2 (s) → CO2 (g)
In this equation, (s) indicates solid state, and (g) indicates gas state. Sublimation is the process where a solid transitions directly into a gas without passing through the liquid phase. Dry ice sublimates at temperatures above -78.5 °C and is commonly used for various applications, such as refrigeration and special effects. As the dry ice warms up, it absorbs heat from its surroundings and changes directly into carbon dioxide gas, which is why it’s often seen producing a fog-like effect when placed in warmer environments.