What term describes the transition of a gas directly into a solid?

The transition of a gas directly into a solid is known as deposition. This process occurs without passing through the liquid state, which distinguishes it from other phase changes. A common example of deposition can be observed when frost forms on surfaces; water vapor in the air transitions directly into ice without becoming liquid water first.

Understanding deposition is important in various scientific fields, including meteorology and material science, as it provides insight into how substances change states and how energy is involved in these transitions. The other terms refer to different phase changes: evaporation involves a liquid turning into a gas, condensation is the transition of a gas to a liquid, and melting is the process of a solid becoming a liquid.