Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. It is formed when carbon dioxide turn directly from a gas into a solid at a temperature of about -80`C. It is so cold that if held in hand it couses frost bite. It is usually prepared by cooling carbon dioxide under high pressure. It looks rather like snow but can be made into blocks by compressing the flakes. Dry ice is very heavy.
Dry ice is very important for cooling or refrigerating foods such as ice creams and meat medicines. It is also used to stimulate fog and steam effects in television or stage plays because it rapidly turn black to gas at ordinary temperature without becoming liquid.
