Dry ice is a form of carbon dioxide that sublimates at room temperature. At a Halloween party, some students noticed that the dry ice underwent a phase change. Which statement below best describes the change in the energy and physical characteristics of the molecules of carbon dioxide during this process?
a: The molecules experienced a physical change from a gaseous state to a liquid state, releasing energy into the environment and reducing the molecular movement.
b: The molecules experienced a chemical change as the carbon dioxide reacted with oxygen, which released oxygen gas into the environment and increased the molecular movement.
c: The molecules experienced a physical change from a solid state to a gaseous state, which increased the molecular movement and the energy of the carbon dioxide molecules.
d: The molecules experienced a chemical change from a liquid state to a solid state, which reduced the amount of energy between the carbon dioxide molecules and decreased the molecular movement.