The process that involves the conversion of a solid directly into a gas without passing through the liquid phase is called sublimation. This phase transition occurs when particles in a solid gain enough energy to overcome intermolecular forces and transition directly into the gaseous state. Sublimation is commonly observed in substances like dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) and mothballs (naphthalene). Understanding sublimation is important in various applications, including freeze-drying, preserving food, and in several industrial processes where direct solid-to-gas transitions are required.