Ice vs. Dry Ice — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on January 28, 2024
Ice is frozen water, used for cooling and water-based applications. Dry Ice, solid CO2, is colder and sublimates, used for intense cooling without moisture.
Difference Between Ice and Dry Ice
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ice, in its most common form, is frozen water (H2O). It is used primarily for cooling drinks, preserving food, and in medical applications where cold therapy is required. Dry Ice, on the other hand, is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2) and is significantly colder than ice made from water. Dry Ice is used in situations requiring more intense cooling, such as transporting perishable goods or creating fog effects.
A key difference between the two is their temperature. Regular ice has a temperature of 0°C (32°F), while Dry Ice is much colder, at approximately -78.5°C (-109.3°F). This difference makes Dry Ice suitable for freezing and preserving goods for longer periods and in more extreme conditions than regular ice.
When ice melts, it turns into water, which can be problematic in situations where moisture can cause damage or spoilage. Dry Ice, however, sublimates directly from a solid to a gas without passing through a liquid phase, meaning it does not leave any water residue. This property makes Dry Ice ideal for shipping and storing items that must remain dry.
Handling these two types of ice requires different precautions. Regular ice can be handled safely with minimal protection, while Dry Ice requires insulated gloves due to its extreme cold, which can cause frostbite on direct skin contact. Additionally, Dry Ice needs to be stored in ventilated areas as it sublimates into CO2 gas, which can be hazardous in enclosed spaces.
In terms of availability and cost, regular ice is widely available and relatively inexpensive. Dry Ice, while also available, is generally more expensive and might not be as readily available as regular ice due to its specialized nature and storage requirements.
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Comparison Chart
Composition
Solid form of water (H2O)
Solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2)
Temperature
0°C (32°F)
-78.5°C (-109.3°F)
Melting/Sublimation
Melts into water
Sublimates directly into gas, no moisture
Usage
Cooling, drinks, food preservation
Intense cooling, transport of perishables, fog effects
Handling and Safety
Safe to handle, minimal protection needed
Requires insulated gloves, ventilated storage
Compare with Definitions
Ice
Commonly used in food preservation.
Ice packs keep our picnic food fresh and cool.
Dry Ice
Sublimates directly from solid to gas.
The Dry Ice disappeared into fog as it sublimated.
Ice
Safe and easy to handle.
We filled the cooler with ice for the road trip.
Dry Ice
Used for specialized cooling needs.
Dry Ice is ideal for transporting medical samples.
Ice
Water frozen solid.
Dry Ice
Solid form of carbon dioxide.
Dry Ice is often used to ship frozen food.
Ice
A surface, layer, or mass of frozen water.
Dry Ice
Much colder than regular ice.
Dry Ice is used for quick-freezing applications.
Ice
Something resembling frozen water
Ammonia ice.
Dry Ice
Requires careful handling due to extreme cold.
Always use gloves when handling Dry Ice.
Ice
A frozen dessert consisting of water, sugar, and a liquid flavoring, often fruit juice.
Ice
Cake frosting; icing.
Ice
(Slang) Diamonds.
Ice
(Sports) The playing field in ice hockey; the rink.
Ice
Extreme unfriendliness or reserve.
Ice
(Slang) A payment over the listed price of a ticket for a public event.
Ice
(Slang) Methamphetamine.
Ice
To coat or slick with solidly frozen water.
Ice
To cause to become ice; freeze.
Ice
To chill by setting in or as if in ice.
Ice
To cover or decorate (a cake, for example) with a sugar coating.
Ice
(Slang) To ensure of victory, as in a game; clinch.
Ice
(Sports) To shoot (the puck) from one's defensive half of an ice hockey rink across the opponent's goal line outside of the goal.
Ice
(Slang) To kill; murder.
Ice
To turn into or become coated with ice; freeze
The pond iced over.
Ice
(uncountable) Water in frozen (solid) form.
Ice
Any frozen volatile chemical, such as ammonia or carbon dioxide.
Ice
Any volatile chemical, such as water, ammonia, or carbon dioxide, not necessarily in solid form, when discussing the composition of e.g. a planet as an ice giant vs a gas giant.
Ice
(countable) A frozen dessert made of fruit juice, water and sugar.
Ice
An ice cream.
Ice
(uncountable) Any substance having the appearance of ice.
Ice
One or more diamonds and jewelry, especially blood diamonds.
Ice
Crystal form of amphetamine-based drugs.
Ice
The area where a game of ice hockey is played.
Ice
Elephant or rhinoceros ivory that has been poached and sold on the black market.
Ice
An artifact that has been smuggled, especially one that is either clear or shiny.
Ice
(slang) Money paid as a bribe.
Ice
(transitive) To cool with ice, as a beverage.
Ice
(intransitive) To become ice; to freeze.
Ice
(transitive) To make icy; to freeze.
Ice
To murder.
Ice
(transitive) To cover with icing (frosting made of sugar and milk or white of egg); to frost; as cakes, tarts, etc.
Ice
(ice hockey) To put out a team for a match.
Milton Keynes have yet to ice a team this season
Ice
(ice hockey) To shoot the puck the length of the playing surface, causing a stoppage in play called icing.
If the Bruins ice the puck, the faceoff will be in their own zone.
Ice
Water or other fluid frozen or reduced to the solid state by cold; frozen water. It is a white or transparent colorless substance, crystalline, brittle, and viscoidal. Its specific gravity (0.92, that of water at 4° C. being 1.0) being less than that of water, ice floats.
Ice
Concreted sugar.
Ice
Water, cream, custard, etc., sweetened, flavored, and artificially frozen.
Ice
Any substance having the appearance of ice; as, camphor ice.
Ice
To cover with ice; to convert into ice, or into something resembling ice.
Ice
To cover with icing, or frosting made of sugar and milk or white of egg; to frost, as cakes, tarts, etc.
Ice
To chill or cool, as with ice; to freeze.
Ice
Water frozen in the solid state;
Americans like ice in their drinks
Ice
The frozen part of a body of water
Ice
Diamonds;
Look at the ice on that dame!
Ice
A flavored sugar topping used to coat and decorate cakes
Ice
A frozen dessert with fruit flavoring (especially one containing no milk)
Ice
Amphetamine used in the form of a crystalline hydrochloride; used as a stimulant to the nervous system and as an appetite suppressant
Ice
A heat engine in which combustion occurs inside the engine rather than in a separate furnace; heat expands a gas that either moves a piston or turns a gas turbine
Ice
A rink with a floor of ice for ice hockey or ice skating;
The crowd applauded when she skated out onto the ice
Ice
Decorate with frosting;
Frost a cake
Ice
Put ice on or put on ice;
Ice your sprained limbs
Ice
Frozen water, used for cooling.
Ice cubes are essential for making chilled beverages.
Ice
Melts into water at 0°C (32°F).
As the ice melted, it turned back into water.
Ice
Widely available and inexpensive.
Ice is readily available at most grocery stores.
Common Curiosities
How cold is Dry Ice compared to regular ice?
Dry Ice is much colder, at about -78.5°C (-109.3°F).
Is Dry Ice safe for food storage?
Yes, it's used to keep food frozen without moisture.
What is Dry Ice primarily used for?
For intense cooling and freezing, particularly in transport and storage.
Does ice leave a residue when it melts?
Yes, it turns into water.
Is ice safe for medical use?
Yes, especially in cold packs and therapy.
Can Dry Ice be used in drinks?
No, due to its extreme cold and CO2 gas release.
Can you touch Dry Ice with bare hands?
No, direct contact can cause frostbite.
Where can I buy Dry Ice?
From specialized suppliers and some grocery stores.
Can Dry Ice be used for long-term storage?
Yes, it's excellent for extended freezing needs.
What is the main use of ice?
For cooling beverages, food preservation, and cold therapy.
Can Dry Ice be used for cooling indoor spaces?
It should be used with caution in ventilated areas due to CO2 gas.
Is regular ice cheaper than Dry Ice?
Generally, yes, regular ice is more affordable.
Does Dry Ice produce CO2 gas?
Yes, it sublimates into CO2 gas.
How should Dry Ice be stored?
In an insulated but ventilated container to allow gas to escape.
Is regular ice sufficient for shipping perishables?
It depends on the required temperature and duration of shipping.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
