The Science of Snowflakes

Every snowflake has its own unique shape and is different than all other snowflakes.

Snowflakes are made up of ice crystals. The water molecules in an ice crystal form a hexagonal lattice, as shown above (the two structures show different views of the same crystal). Each red ball represents an oxygen atom, while the grey sticks represent hydrogen atoms. There are two hydrogens for each oxygen, so the chemical formula is H2O. The six-fold symmetry of snow crystals ultimately derives from the six-fold symmetry of the ice crystal lattice.

In general, all snowflakes have six sides or begin as a Hexagon. Many different shapes a sizes of snowflakes can be created using a hexagon pattern. Hexagon

Scientist who study crystal formation have complex classification systems for water crystals.

Temperature and humidity determine what shape a snowflake will assume.

The most common snowflakes by far are the irregular crystals. These are small, usually clumped together, and show little of the symmetry seen in stellar or columnar crystals.

Most of the information in this presentation was gathered at The website has a wealth of information and many amazing pictures of actual snowflakes.