- published: 18 Mar 2012
- views: 143664398
A snowflake is either a single ice crystal or an aggregation of ice crystals which falls through the Earth's atmosphere. They begin as snow crystals which develop when microscopic supercooled cloud droplets freeze. Snowflakes come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Complex shapes emerge as the flake moves through differing temperature and humidity regions, such that individual snowflakes are almost always unique in structure. Snowflakes encapsulated in rime form balls known as graupel. Snowflakes appear white in color despite being made of clear ice. This is due to diffuse reflection of the whole spectrum of light by the small crystal facets.
In warmer clouds an aerosol particle or "ice nucleus" must be present in (or in contact with) the droplet to act as a nucleus. The particles that make ice nuclei are very rare compared to nuclei upon which liquid cloud droplets form; however, it is not understood what makes them efficient. Clays, desert dust and biological particles may be effective, although to what extent is unclear. Artificial nuclei include particles of silver iodide and dry ice, and these are used to stimulate precipitation in cloud seeding.
I see all the snowflakes, falling down around me
falling down, lovely and wide
And all of these snowflakes, falling down around me
seem so perfect, so right
Look at them tambling down, each one is a flame
all of them spining me, daslinly the same
See how they flow and bend
swirling in neverending harmony
They glisten as they decent,
sparkling like diamonds all the way
To me it is crystal clear
I'm not how they appear, shivering out here at my own
See how different I am, I'm not one of them