No twin snowflakes in the world

2001/01/18 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Fisika
• Klima

Two people are said to be much like two drops of water. It is never said that two are like a snowflake. Man has long discovered that all snowflakes are different. But why? And how?

Part of the question was answered in 1936 by Japanese researcher Ukichiro Nakaya. When the snow crystal was growing in the laboratory, he observed that slightly changing the air temperature changed the shape of the crystal. Columns, thin sheets, thick plates, needles with holes, dendrites, etc. with small temperature variations that it could generate.

Snow crystals are very sensitive to outdoor conditions. The speed of growth increases and decreases considerably even if the temperature is very low and the speed of growth affects the shape of the crystal. During the formation and fall of the snowflake will cross areas of different temperature, which will condition its final appearance.

And that appearance will be yours and not that of any other, as the same
temperature story will barely pass twice. Rarely is the word forbidden in science!