Which of the following best describes the process of sublimation?

Sublimation is defined as the process in which a substance transitions directly from the solid phase to the gas phase without passing through a liquid phase. This phenomenon is commonly observed in substances such as dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) and snow, where they can directly convert into vapor when energy is added, typically through heating or reduction of pressure.

This distinct transition occurs under specific conditions of temperature and pressure that favor the gas phase, allowing molecules to escape directly from the solid structure into the air as gas. Other processes like melting, condensation, or the transition from gas to liquid involve distinct phases and changes in state that do not apply to sublimation, emphasizing why the correct choice accurately encapsulates the essence of this unique process.