You might wonder what the shapes of snowflakes have to do with chemistry. Actually, the study of crystal structures of solids has its own discipline, crystallography, which allows us to determine the arrangement of atoms in these solids. Crystallography works by passing X-rays through the sample, which are then diffracted as they pass through by the atoms contained therein. Previous efforts have come up with a few different numbers for the total categories of solid precipitation.
The new graphic is based on work from researchers based in Japan. The 39 categories can be further broken down into subtypes, Susannah Locke reports for Vox. And they all can be lumped into eight broader groups:. Kenneth Libbrecht a physicist at Caltech writes about snow crystal formation on his website :.
The story begins up in a cloud, when a minute cloud droplet first freezes into a tiny particle of ice. Have fun! What shapes will your snowflakes take? Did you get it? Test your knowledge. What are you wondering? Wonder Words vapor crystals molecules spiraling swirling hexagon meteorologist moisture identical Take the Wonder Word Challenge. Join the Discussion. Ashley Dec 11, I never knew that snowflakes can be alike! Dec 12, We thought it was interesting too, Ashley!
Mercedes Sep 20, Sep 24, GrumpyVet Feb 12, With an infinite number of snowflakes that fall, it's utterly ridiculous to say that no 2 are alike. It's impossible to come to that conclusion. Minh Jun 14, What is the author of this article and date publish? Good article, please reply.
Jun 14, Jun 4, We think it's "cool" pun intended! It's extremely fascinating to learn more about snowflakes! Dec 20, Mursala Unicorn Jan 27, This helped me so much for my science project! Jan 27, Awesome, Mursala!
So glad this Wonder helped you out. How did the science project go? Mursala Unicorn Jan 30, It went awesome! I got a great grade,and my classmates loved it! Jan 31, That's fantastic, Mursala! We are so happy for you!
Alayna Jan 13, Jan 17, So glad you enjoyed it, Alayna! Marie F. May 14, I always thought that all snowflakes were the same. But now I know that not all are the same. May 18, That's right, Marie! Isn't that cool?! Feb 4, Jan 14, Hi, Wonder Friend! We're glad you had fun exploring this Wonder! Dec 15, Welcome, paxton! Thanks for exploring this Wonder. Mags Sep 22, This is amazing! I never would have thought! This website is such a great learning experience!!!!
Aren't snowflakes just amazing? Wonderopolis Apr 24, Elizabeth Feb 27, Hi I am Elizabeth. I wanted to know how long did it take to get 1 pitcher. Wonderopolis Mar 2, Allie Feb 7, I use the daily email to have a discussion of the day with my 7 year old daughter. She loves learning about everything so this site has helped us learn about new things all the time. Thank you, I tell every parent I know about this website!! Any plans for an app?? Wonderopolis Feb 9, Joseph b.
Jan 29, It is almost impossible to see snowflakes!!! There is diffrent kinds of snowflakes that when you hold it you it is diffrent. Wonderopolis Feb 2, Heather Jan 23, I like the story because it is about snowflakes and they are made out of ice. Wonderopolis Jan 23, Makena Jan 22, Dear Wonderoplis, I really like this story! Do you have another one? Your friend, Makena M.
Heather Jan 29, Hi Heather! Lexi C. Jan 22, The smallest thing I can see is a Plankton because you can only see them with a microscope. What's your favorite snowflake and why? How long does it take for a snowflake to melt? Leonardo Feb 26, Dear Joseph, maybe in AZ it would melt faster. Daniela Oct 23, Oct 24, Wonderopolis Feb 27, Wonderopolis Jan 29, Maybe, joseph b.! It all depends what the environment temperature is! Dear Wonderopolis, That is cool that there is more than 2 trillion snowflakes.
What materials do you use to see the snowflakes. Your friend, Logan. Brian Dec 15, Dec 16, Gwendalyn M Jan 22, Dear wonderopoils, Hi how are you doing. I did not know that seven ice crystals could make one whole snowflake I think that is awesome. I think snowflakes are very elegant when they fall from the sky I think that the people who read this will be very interesting have you ever touched a snowflakes? Well I got to go so bye!
Your friend, Gwendalyn. Some snowflakes are alike and Are not and it is almost Impossible to see snowflakes. Lucy L. Dear wonderoplis, I really like your little story. You really gave me some really gave me some facts about snowflakes. Why do scientists want to know about snowflakes? Your frieind, Lucy L.
Lucy Jan 22, Welcome back, Heather! Dear Wonderopolis Are their different kind of colors. Wonderopolis Jan 22, The many sides of the ice crystals cause diffuse reflection of the whole light spectrum which results in snowflakes appearing to be white in colour. Whilst the variation of snowflake shapes is infinite, they can be broadly categorised into groups which give an indication as to what conditions the snowflake formed in.
Three of the broad types are:. Perhaps the most eye-catching type of snowflake, the name means 'tree-like' recognising their branching structures. Plates are essentially part-formed dendrites, the begin to form their intricate patterns but cannot obtain sufficient moisture to form the branches so form a less intricate flat plate. These tend to form at warmer temperatures where there is less moisture in the air. Similar to a thin plate, a sector plate snowflake again lacks moisture but forms a hexagonal structure often with a star-like shape in the centre and the more visible attempts to branch.
What is a snowflake? Why are snowflakes hexagonal? Snowflakes are unique Part of the enduring appeal of snowflakes is their intricate appearance and near infinite variation, often leading to the assertion that all snowflakes are unique. What makes snowflakes white?
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