Why do snowflakes come in so many shapes?

Snowflakes are nothing more than crystals, and water crystals are tiny particles of water (H2O) solidified in an environment below -25 degrees Celsius (-25). High power microscopy (electron microscopy) can be used to observe the single crystals of water under certain harsh conditions. Snow, frost, and fog in some cold states are all crystals of water.

Water crystals in similar environments are similar. There is a theory that water crystals are unique, and the theory is that water crystals and leaves do not appear exactly the same as two individuals.

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The force is different, and the environment formed is different, and the shape will be different.

Most snowflakes are hexagonal, and this is because snowflakes belong to the six-branched wild void square crystal system. Snowflakes in the clouds"Embryos"There are two main shapes of Xiaoice crystals. One is hexagonal, long and thin, called column crystal, but sometimes its ends are pointed, like a needle, called needle crystal.

The other is in the form of hexagonal flakes, like the flakes cut from a hexagonal pencil, called flakes.

If the water vapor in the cloud is not very abundant, the actual water vapor pressure is only greater than the saturated water vapor pressure of the plane, and the water vapor only condenses on the surface, and the formation is a columnar snowflake; If there is a little more water vapor, the actual water vapor pressure ridge is greater than the saturated water vapor pressure on the edge, and the water vapor will condense on the edge and surface, because the speed of condensation is also related to the degree of bending, and the condensation is faster in places with a large degree of bending.

Therefore, the condensation on the edge of the ice crystal is faster than on the surface, and flake-like snowflakes are formed at this time; If the water vapor in the cloud is not violent, it is often abundant, and the water vapor pressure is greater than the saturated water vapor pressure on the corner, so that there are water vapor condensation on the surface, edge, and corner, but the position of the sharp corner is prominent, the water vapor ** is the most sufficient, and the condensation grows the fastest, so it forms more branch-like or star-shaped snowflakes, so it is also known as six out.

In addition, the constant movement of ice crystals and the changing temperature and humidity conditions in which they are exposed make the various parts of the ice crystals grow at different rates, forming a variety of snowflakes.

Related to the speed of water vapor condensation crystallization, snowflakes are changed by the increase of Xiaoice crystals, and the ice molecules are hexagonal as the most auspicious, so the formation of snowflakes is mostly hexagonal. The variety of snowflake shapes is closely related to the water vapor conditions at the time of its formation.

Thermal insulation: <>

1. The snow, like a wonderful carpet, is spread on the earth, so that the ground temperature will not fall too low due to the severe cold of snowflakes in winter. This thermal insulation effect of snow cover is inseparable from its own characteristics;

2. The snow covering the earth's chest is very similar to cotton, and the porosity between the snowflakes is very high, which is the layer of air drilled into the pores of the snow, which protects the ground temperature from falling very low;

3. The heat preservation function of snow is changing with its density. It's much like when a new padded jacket is particularly warm, but an old padded jacket is not so warm;

4. The density of fresh snow is low, and there is more air stored in it, and the heat preservation effect is particularly strong;

5. Old snow is like an old cotton jacket, with high density, and the air hidden in the storage chain is less, and the thermal insulation effect is weak.

The variety of snowflake shapes is closely related to water vapor conditions.

In the case of the same water vapor pressure, the condensation growth of ice crystals is also different due to the different saturated water vapor pressures on the surface, edges and corners of ice crystals. If the water vapor in the cloud is not too abundant, the water vapor pressure is only greater than the saturated water vapor pressure of the plane, and the water vapor only condenses on the surface, and the formation is a columnar snowflake; If there is a little more water vapor, the water vapor pressure is greater than the saturated water vapor pressure on the side reed, and the water vapor will condense on the edge and on the surface, because the speed of condensation is also related to the degree of bending, the condensation is faster in places with a large degree of bending, so the condensation on the edge of the ice crystal is faster than on the surface, and more flakes are formed at this time; If the water vapor in the cloud is very abundant, the water vapor pressure is greater than the saturated water vapor pressure on the corner, so that there are water vapor condensation on the surface, edge, and corner, but the position at the sharp corner is prominent, the water vapor ** is the fullest, and the condensation grows the fastest, so it forms more branch-like or stellate snowflakes.

In addition, the ice crystals are constantly moving, and the temperature and humidity conditions in which they are exposed are constantly changing, so that the various parts of the ice crystals grow at different rates, forming a variety of snowflakes.