* Solid (Ice): Ice can exist at temperatures below the freezing point of water (0°C or 32°F). In the vastness of space, for example, ice can exist at temperatures far below freezing without ever melting.
* Gas (Water Vapor): Water vapor is simply water in its gaseous form. It exists naturally in the atmosphere and can even be found in a vacuum. The amount of water vapor in the air depends on factors like temperature and humidity.
Example: Think about a comet in space. It's primarily composed of ice (solid water). As the comet gets closer to the sun, the ice begins to sublimate, directly transforming into water vapor (gas) without ever passing through the liquid phase.
So, while the three phases of water can exist in equilibrium (like when water is boiling or freezing), each phase can also exist independently.
