question about why the snow is white, is familiar to every person from childhood.But not all children and adults, they know the right answer, the reason why the little snowflake is white and not blue or green.Everyone knows that the snow - this frozen water, more ice.But as the ice is transparent and capable of transmitting light through it, why snowdrifts that covered the ground, far from the opaque and have a very distinctive color?
In past centuries, when there was no such developed technologies to study all natural processes, scientists have struggled with the question of why the snow is white.However, no reply has found.Only when the whole process of creation of snow from the beginning to the end became clear, there are some guesses about the "snow-white cover."
It all starts with the fact that under the influence of warm sunlight water from rivers, lakes and seas is converted into steam and rises high in the atmospheric layers, dominated by permafrost.The steam in turn have properties of liquid water, because of the large negative temperature begins to freeze and turns to crystals of ice.This is Snowflake, which eventually ready to fall to the ground.For the most part, in the areas where heat icicles occurs as wet precipitation melted even in the air.As
formed snow, now it is clear, but why, when falling to the ground, he suddenly becomes white?
pertinent question, because like snowflakes and the truth is still in the air have the same flow properties of light through it as ice.But we should not forget one thing: the edge of the lens is located under the chaotic angles that are randomly refracts sunlight, and they do not absorb it, and pass on.And when snowflakes gather in the "snow-white veil," the sun's rays are refracted by a single snowflake to another, to pass through the entire cover.Many rays are reflected in our eyes, which is why often when you look at the snow, we have to squint.The sunlight is too bright for the perception of his unprotected eyes.
But not quite right to ask why the snow is white, because it is not always "clean".So people see it only when the rays of sunlight fall on him.For example, at sunset it can be painted in a pinkish hue, and light yellow lamp can be a little sand-colored, as well as in cloudy weather it is a grayish tint.
to change the color of snow still in the air layers when snowflakes are just beginning their "drop earth."For example, different pollen from trees and flowers, the dust from the arid land rises and meets with bits of snow in the air flow.If this does not have time to melt snow and retained a small cover, it is sure to be a color with different shades.In these conditions, to ask why snow is white, is inappropriate.
However snowflakes - is not just flying erratically down the icicles that for unknown reasons, decided to cover the ground, "white veil".
main properties of snow - is to protect the earth from the cold, covered with a thick blanket.Yes, it is warm and keep the crop and soil frost, seemingly paradoxical, but it is true.It has poor thermal conductivity, allowing it to hold back the heat emanating from the earth, and to create a "heat cushion".Knowingly built igloo residents of the far north.Ice, like snow, holds heat well, creating unique conditions for life.
should not lose sight of the fact that the amount of snowflakes depends on the weather conditions outside.If it is cold enough, the ice crystals small, almost imperceptible.And if the sun is shining and the air is so cold, the size of the snowflakes may be several centimeters.So, in 1944 in Moscow fell desyatisantimetrovyh "grains of ice."
