Solid carbon dioxide is popularly known by which of the following names?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Dry ice

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Basic general science questions often ask about common names of substances encountered in daily life and industry. Solid carbon dioxide has a very important commercial use in cooling and special effects. Rather than being called solid carbon dioxide in day to day language, it has a concise popular name. This question checks whether candidates can link that common name to the scientific substance, which is a standard type of question in general knowledge exams.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The chemical substance in question is solid carbon dioxide.
  • This form of carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant and in fog or smoke effects.
  • The options mention Wet ice, Dry ice, Solid ice and None of these.
  • We assume standard school level science knowledge about states of matter and common applications.


Concept / Approach:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) under normal conditions is a gas. When it is cooled and pressurised, it can form a solid that sublimates directly to gas without passing through a liquid phase under atmospheric pressure. Because it does not melt into water the way ordinary ice does, this solid form is called dry ice. Recognising this property allows the candidate to match the description with the correct term.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall from basic science that solid carbon dioxide is used to keep items cold and to produce artificial fog. Step 2: Remember that this solid does not form liquid water as it warms; instead, it goes straight back into gaseous carbon dioxide, a process called sublimation. Step 3: Because it leaves no wet residue, the popular name focuses on the fact that it behaves like a form of ice that is not wet. Step 4: From the options, the term that captures this idea is Dry ice. Step 5: Therefore, choose Dry ice as the correct answer.


Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of everyday references to Dry ice in food storage, shipping of biological samples, and stage performances. In all such contexts, the term used is Dry ice and not any of the other labels. Textbooks and exam guides also explicitly define Dry ice as solid carbon dioxide, confirming the pairing beyond doubt.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Wet ice: There is no standard scientific or commercial term called wet ice for solid carbon dioxide. Wet ice simply suggests melting water ice and is not used for CO2.
Solid ice: This usually refers to frozen water, not carbon dioxide. Using this term would create confusion between ordinary ice and Dry ice.
None of these: This option is incorrect because one of the listed choices, Dry ice, is exactly the conventional name for solid carbon dioxide.


Common Pitfalls:
Some students confuse ordinary ice and Dry ice due to both being used for cooling. Others may misinterpret the term wet ice as a technical phrase when it is not. Another error is forgetting the sublimation property of CO2 and assuming that any type of frozen substance is just called ice. Remembering that Dry ice does not melt into a liquid under normal pressure helps firmly link the concept to its name.


Final Answer:
Solid carbon dioxide is popularly known as Dry ice.

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