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Dry ice is used for making cold baths in laboratories by mixing with volatile organic solvents. Identify the form of dry ice from the following
Explanation
Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2). It is uniquely characterized by its ability to sublime, meaning it transitions directly from a solid state to a gaseous state at atmospheric pressure without passing through a liquid phase. This occurs at a temperature of approximately -78.5 °C. In laboratory settings, dry ice is frequently mixed with volatile organic solvents, such as acetone or ethanol, to create cooling baths. These baths are essential for maintaining precise, extremely low temperatures (often below -20°C) for chemical reactions or sample preservation. The term 'dry' refers to the fact that it does not melt into a liquid residue like water ice. While carbon dioxide can exist as a liquid or gas, only the solid state is referred to as dry ice.