Observation and Experimentation - Welcome Picnic
Chemistry is everywhere! Yes, even in skiing! ClothingAccessoriesStructural Materials SurfacesSnow and IceAvalanches
Snowflakes Structure of water How is snow formed? Crystal formation, faceting and branching Are all crystals different? Changes in snow over time
Water: Liquid and Ice
Evolution of a snowflake Snow only forms if the crystals grow slowly from the vapor in the air
The structure of ice and ice crystals Hexagonal structure of ice at the molecular level leads to hexagonal crystals
Why do we get different snowflake shapes? Faceting: Filling in the crystal faces Branching: Diffusion of vapor feeds points faster More branching at higher water vapor pressure
Shapes of snowflakes depends mostly on the temperature
Growth of a snowflake
What happens to snow on the ground? Sintering is faster at higher T
“Important applications” of this knowledge Where it is coldest when it snows and where it stays coldest! Where are we going to find the best powder? XX