Sublimation is the process where a solid changes directly into a gas without first becoming a liquid. This occurs when the molecules in the solid gain enough energy to break free from their fixed positions. Common examples of sublimation include dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) turning into gas and snow gradually disappearing on a sunny day. This phenomenon is often used in various applications, such as freeze-drying food, where moisture is removed while preserving the food's structure and nutrients. Sublimation is also important in the field of chemistry and physics, helping scientists understand phase changes and energy transfer.