• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • WordPress
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
Science Update

Science Update

Sharing Science | Satisfying Curiosity | Debunking BS

  • Spotlights
  • Reality Check
  • Why Is It?
  • Radio Archives
  • Sciup @ School
Home » Radio Archive » Daily Show » Similar Snowflakes
Similar Snowflakes

Similar Snowflakes

November 30, 2016
https://podcast.scienceupdate.com/161130_sciup_snow.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window

BOB HIRSHON (host):

Nature’s icy symmetry. I’m Bob Hirshon and this is Science Update.

We hear a lot about how every snowflake is unique, but Science Update listener Istvan Prazsac emailed us from Hungary, asking why snowflakes are so similar – each with exactly six sides. We asked Miriam Rossi, professor of chemistry at Vassar College. She says it all comes down to the way water molecules group together as they cool.

MIRIAM ROSSI (Vassar College):

Snowflakes are symmetrical because they reflect the internal order of the water molecules as they arrange themselves in the solid state which is known as crystalization.

HIRSHON:

And the easiest way for them to bond is in groups of six. So you might wonder why every snowflake isn’t just a perfect hexagon. Rossi says that changes in temperature and humidity as the flake grows can result in a variety of patterns, giving us flakes that are all built on a hexagonal foundation, but with myriad forms. I’m Bob Hirshon for AAAS, the science society.

Category: Daily Show, Station Download, Why Is It?Tag: Climate & Weather, Physics, Why Is It? Questions
Previous Post:Micro Biobots
Next Post:24-Hour Colds

Sidebar

Radio Program Archives

Want to learn more about the brain? The environment? Here you can browse the topics that come up regularly on Science Update.

Search the Archives

Categories

  • Daily Show
  • Station Download
  • Weekly Show

Find By Tag

  • 2020
  • Acoustics & Sound
  • Aging
  • Animal Behavior
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Astronomy & Space
  • Biology
  • Brain Science
  • Bugs
  • Cat Video
  • Chemistry
  • Children & Families
  • cicadas
  • Climate & Weather
  • Communications
  • Computer Science
  • Economics & Business
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Environment & Conservation
  • Genetics & Evolution
  • Geology
  • Marine Science
  • Materials Science
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine & Health
  • Microbiology
  • Nanotechnology
  • NASA
  • Nutrition & Food Science
  • Paleontology & Dinosaurs
  • Physics
  • Plants & Agriculture
  • Political Science
  • Reality Check
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Sports & Fitness
  • spotlight
  • Spotlight Bugs
  • Terrorism & War
  • Why Is It? Questions
  • Wildlife
  • Year in Review

Find By Date

Science Update
  • About Science Update
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

Image of computer screen depicting an orange cat with a variety of alphanumeric scientific data superimposed on the the screen.
Spotted skunk performing handstand to threaten predators

Copyright © 2025 · Springtail Media LLC · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Pongos