Among the symbols of Christmas, we find many elements. The traditional Santa Claus, with his reindeer and loaded with gifts, or the charming Christmas tree, are some of the most common. But, although with less prominence, snowflakes also appear. These are symbols of winter and cold, and are also a classic of Christmas decorations. But, Do you really know what a snowflake is? Today at we are not willing to investigate it, and we tell you about it. Join us!
What is a snowflake? Find out!
When we talk about what a snowflake is, we are referring not to frozen raindrops, but to a grouping of thousands of ice crystals that fall from a cloud. In fact, this meteorological phenomenon begins to develop inside a cloud, when There is extreme cold and tiny cloud droplets condense and freeze into a dust particle (called condensation nuclei).
This creates an ice crystal. As the ice crystal falls through the cloud, water vapor freezes on its surface. Then, additional water vapor molecules freeze, covering the crystal, and in that moment, we see the birth of what is a basic snowflake. This process is known as “faceting.”
At this stage, the snowflake is made up of a single crystal. But their journey is not over, as water vapor molecules continue to add to the crystal as they move through the cloud. They reach the edges of the glass first, since these stick out more than any other part. As the corners grow and extend further outward, they begin to look like «arms» (called dendrites). This process, called “branching,” is what makes snowflakes have these complex shapes.
The snowflake can be moved again to a different part of the cloud, which promotes faceting and leads to the formation of plates on the arms of the snowflake. With each advance through the cloud, the snowflake repeats the processes of growth and branching. And it will continue to grow this way until it finally leaves the cloud.
All snowflakes have the basic crystal shape of the hexagonal shape. (six sides). But as they grow, water can freeze in its six corners several times, causing the snowflake to develop a unique shape.
What determines its size and shape?
Now that we know what a snowflake is and how it is formed, it is important that we know why some can be different from others in terms of their dimensions. A medium-sized snowflake is about one centimeter in diameter, but Flakes of up to 8 and 10 centimeters can form. The largest known one was documented by Fort Keogh, in Montana, in January 1887. The flake in question was no less than… 38 centimeters in diameter!
Now, as regards its form, The structure of a snowflake is determined by the temperature and humidity of the air it passes through as it falls on its way to the ground. By growing snow crystals under controlled conditions in the laboratory, scientists have observed that the following temperatures produce certain types of snow crystals:
- Between 0º and -4º C thin hexagonal plates and stars are produced
- Between -4º and -6º needles are produced
- Between -6º and -10ºC hollow columns are produced
- Between -10º and -12ºC plaques are produced
- Between -12º and -16ºC dendrites are produced
- From -16ºC, combinations of plates and columns are produced
Another aspect that draws attention to what a snowflake is and its details is the symmetry that defines them. In fact, they are recognized in mathematics for be perfectly symmetrical objects. Six arms emerge from each of the arms of a snowflake under the same atmospheric conditions and, therefore, everything grows in the same way. However, the most likely thing is that when we go to observe a snowflake in a snowfall, it will arrive broken, fragmented or in a group with other flakes.
Each snowflake is unique
We add to the curiosities about what a snowflake is, the fact that each one of them is simply unique. You will not find two alike in nature. This is because each snowflake follows a slightly different path from heaven to earth and, therefore, encounters different atmospheric conditions than its companions along the way.
This, in turn, means that each snowflake will have a slightly different growth rate and, consequently, its own shape. Because of this, it is very unlikely that any two snowflakes will be identical.
The effect of snowflakes on sound
If you have ever stopped to listen to the sound of falling snow during a snowfall, you will have noticed how quiet it is. This is because snowflakes, when falling and accumulating on the ground, They trap air between their individual crystals, and that reduces vibration. It is said that a layer of snow of 2 centimeters can slow down the acoustics of the landscape. Although as snow hardens and compacts, it loses its sound-absorbing qualities.
And you, Did you already know what a snowflake is, and the details about how they are formed? Did you have any idea that no two were exactly the same? Do you integrate these adorable figures into your Christmas decoration? Feel free to leave us all your opinions in a comment. We will be happy to read you! And before we leave, we leave you with this adorable and inspiring selection of the most beautiful Christmas phrases. Until next time!