What makes snowflakes different sizes

Great question, Abbie! According to the Wonder, "As snowflakes tumble through the air, swirling and spiraling, they each take a different path to the ground. Each snowflake falls and floats through clouds with different temperatures and moisture levels, which shapes each snowflake in a unique way.

Hi Mrs. Sicoli's Class! It's so fun learning about snow and snowflakes! Has anyone in your class seen different types of snowflakes? We'd love to hear! Yes, we have had a few students who have seen different snowflakes and lots who have traveled up north and seen snow.

We are still inquiring lots about snowflakes and are getting ready to read Snowflake Bentley! Thanks for replying:. It's fun to catch and look at individual snowflakes in Wonderopolis! Have you ever found two that are almost the same? Maybe when it is hot there, you would enjoy a cold snow cone. We're glad you're here and sharing the Wonders of the Day with your granddaughter! Thank you for visiting! We are undergoing some spring clearing site maintenance and need to temporarily disable the commenting feature.

Thanks for your patience. Drag a word to its definition. You have answered 0 of 3 questions correctly and your score is:. Want to add a little wonder to your website? Help spread the wonder of families learning together. We sent you SMS, for complete subscription please reply. Follow Twitter Instagram Facebook. Why are all snowflakes different? How many different types of snowflakes are there? How are snowflakes formed? Tags: See All Tags ash , cloud , crystal , droplet , dust , freeze , hexagon , ice , meteor , microscopic , moisture , molecule , nature , particle , pattern , pollen , science , shape , snowflake , temperature , vapor , volcanic , water , water vapor , weather.

Wonder What's Next? Try It Out We hope you didn't think today's Wonder was too flaky! Be sure to explore the following activities with a friend or family member: Do you like to have fun in the snow?

Write a story about a real or imagined snow day! Will you build a snowman? Start a snowball fight? Stay in with some hot cocoa? Share your story with a friend or family member. Want to take your paper snowflake one step farther? If you have some skill at origami, you'll probably have no trouble making a three-dimensional paper snowflake. Get some friends to help you make a bunch of snowflakes that you can use to decorate your room! Up for a challenge? No matter what the weather is like outside, you can make your own snowflakes inside right now!

You'll want to get help from an adult friend or family member for this fun science experiment. Have fun! What shapes will your snowflakes take? Did you get it?

Test your knowledge. What are you wondering? Wonder Words vapor crystals molecules spiraling swirling hexagon meteorologist moisture identical Take the Wonder Word Challenge.

Join the Discussion. Ashley Dec 11, I never knew that snowflakes can be alike! Dec 12, We thought it was interesting too, Ashley! Mercedes Sep 20, Sep 24, GrumpyVet Feb 12, With an infinite number of snowflakes that fall, it's utterly ridiculous to say that no 2 are alike.

It's impossible to come to that conclusion. Minh Jun 14, What is the author of this article and date publish? Good article, please reply. Jun 14, Jun 4, We think it's "cool" pun intended! It's extremely fascinating to learn more about snowflakes! Dec 20, Mursala Unicorn Jan 27, This helped me so much for my science project! Jan 27, Awesome, Mursala! So glad this Wonder helped you out.

How did the science project go? Mursala Unicorn Jan 30, It went awesome! I got a great grade,and my classmates loved it! Jan 31, That's fantastic, Mursala! We are so happy for you! Alayna Jan 13, Jan 17, So glad you enjoyed it, Alayna! Marie F. May 14, I always thought that all snowflakes were the same. But now I know that not all are the same. May 18, That's right, Marie! Isn't that cool?! Feb 4, Jan 14, Hi, Wonder Friend!

We're glad you had fun exploring this Wonder! Dec 15, Welcome, paxton! Thanks for exploring this Wonder. Mags Sep 22, This is amazing! I never would have thought! This website is such a great learning experience!!!! Aren't snowflakes just amazing? Wonderopolis Apr 24, Elizabeth Feb 27, Hi I am Elizabeth. I wanted to know how long did it take to get 1 pitcher.

Wonderopolis Mar 2, Allie Feb 7, I use the daily email to have a discussion of the day with my 7 year old daughter. She loves learning about everything so this site has helped us learn about new things all the time.

Thank you, I tell every parent I know about this website!! Any plans for an app?? Wonderopolis Feb 9, Joseph b. Jan 29, It is almost impossible to see snowflakes!!! There is diffrent kinds of snowflakes that when you hold it you it is diffrent.

Wonderopolis Feb 2, Heather Jan 23, As the snow crystals fall, they collide with other snow crystals, causing them to grow in size and appear as larger snowflakes once they get closer to the ground. Light winds also help in the formation of larger snowflakes since stronger winds can break them apart as they fall. There is no routine method for documenting the size of snowflakes in a winter storm, but sometimes they can measure 2 inches across , the National Snow and Ice Data Center says.

On rare occasions, snowflakes as large as dinner plates have been observed , according to Kenneth G. Libbrecht, a professor of physics at the California Institute of Technology. When temperatures are much below freezing, the snowflakes falling from the sky are smaller in size. That's because the snow crystals are drier, which makes them less prone to sticking to other snow crystals.

This type of snow is powdery and tough to mold into a snowball. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. Tiffany Means. Meteorology Expert. Updated November 04, If Cloud Temperatures Are Snowflake Shape Will be Featured Video. Cite this Article Format.

Means, Tiffany. The Science of Snowflakes Explained. Snowflake Chemistry - Answers to Common Questions. Nucleation Definition Chemistry and Physics. How to Grow a Borax Crystal Snowflake.

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