Final answer:
Sublimation is the transition of a substance from the solid phase directly to the vapor phase, bypassing the liquid phase. This results in a solid dissipating into a gas, with examples including dry ice vaporizing to create 'smoke' and snow disappearing without melting.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sublimation is the process by which a substance transitions from the solid phase directly to the vapor phase without passing through the intermediary liquid phase. This change of state implies that a solid, with relatively high density, transforms into a gas, which has a much lesser density. This leads to a significant increase in the dispersal of the substance's molecules as they will occupy a larger volume once the transition occurs.
Several everyday examples of sublimation include the disappearance of dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) into vapor, forming 'smoke' used in various effects, and the way snow can vanish without melting first. Other instances involve air fresheners that release fragrance through sublimation or moth balls that transition from solid to gas over time. Sublimation can occur when the equilibrium vapor pressure of a solid is not zero, allowing particles to escape into the gaseous phase.