The chemical name for industrial dry ice is solid carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is formed through the direct desublimation of gaseous carbon dioxide under conditions of high pressure and low temperature. It possesses an extremely low temperature-approximately -78.5°C-which is significantly lower than the 0°C temperature of ordinary ice. At room temperature, dry ice does not melt into a liquid; instead, it undergoes sublimation, transitioning directly from a solid to a gaseous state. This characteristic ensures that it leaves no liquid residue during transportation and storage.
Ordinary ice, conversely, is the solid form of water (H₂O), created when liquid water freezes at temperatures below 0°C. Its temperature typically hovers around 0°C, and upon melting, it reverts to liquid water. While ordinary ice offers relatively weaker cooling capabilities, its widespread availability and low cost make it a common choice for everyday cooling purposes or short-term preservation.
