Snow & Ice
Snow and ice are both forms of frozen water, but they take different shapes and occur in different conditions.
Snow:
- Snow forms when water vapor in the atmosphere cools and condenses into tiny ice crystals, which then stick together to create snowflakes.
- Snowflakes have a unique and intricate structure, typically with six symmetrical arms, because of how water molecules arrange themselves when they freeze.
- Snow occurs when temperatures are below 0°C (32°F) and the atmosphere is humid enough to form ice crystals. It falls as a precipitation in the form of light, fluffy flakes.
Ice:
- Ice is simply frozen water. It forms when liquid water cools down to 0°C or below and turns into a solid.
- Ice can form in many environments: in rivers, lakes, or on the surface of objects. It can also exist as glaciers, where the ice compacts and forms large, slow-moving sheets of ice over time.
- Unlike snowflakes, which have a distinct, crystalline structure, ice often forms in solid sheets or chunks and may not have the same intricate patterns as snow.
Both snow and ice are important elements in Earth's climate and ecosystem, affecting everything from weather patterns to water resources.
