2006-07-07 08:49:59 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
melts away
2006-07-07 08:53:01 · answer #1 · answered by Tim 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The white in snow is caused by dust and debris caught in the formation of a snowflake. These dust particles do not allow proper crystal lattice to be formed for the ice and the ice will then refract the light differently. Look at an ice cube made with soft water vs hard water. The minerals in the hard water disrupt proper crystal formation and appear white and cloudy. Soft water cubes will form clear ice. The same goes for snow.
As the snow melts, the white vanishes as the crystal structure of solid water begins to dismantle.
2006-07-12 22:20:12 · answer #2 · answered by NONAME 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no 'white' in snow like there is no 'blue' in the sea. It's just the reflected light that makes it appear white. Light is broken down into a spectrum, like a rainbow, but pure light is white. When the snow, which is only frozen water, melts it changes from a solid state to a liquid state and changes back to contain all the properties of water which is colourless.
2006-07-08 08:14:20 · answer #3 · answered by quatt47 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The color of snow is a property of its structure. Once it melts (not crystallized anymore) it takes on the appearance of water, which is translucent.
The snow is not painted or dyed to be white. The "white" is not an actual piece of matter, it is just how our eyes see it.
2006-07-07 15:55:06 · answer #4 · answered by Steve S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only reason snow is white is because of air trapped in the snowflake. Check out an ice cube you'll see what I'm talking about.
2006-07-07 15:54:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The white is caused by the refraction and reflection of light as it passes through the snowflakes. The result is scattering of light which gives a white appearance.
The same thing happens when glass gets cracked or safety glass gets shattered. The more cracks, the more white it appears.
2006-07-07 21:15:35 · answer #6 · answered by joefizx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There never really is any white, it's just when the water freeze the frost of the ice produces a white shade that's why clouds are white and ice cubes in a freezer are white and frosty looking.
2006-07-13 22:56:46 · answer #7 · answered by Luke92 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when the snow melts, it turns into water like ice does. since water is transparent, the white snow loosers its color.
2006-07-07 15:56:02 · answer #8 · answered by zardychess 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the snow
2006-07-07 20:10:38 · answer #9 · answered by butterfly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The white is just the frozen water..but the ground absorbs it.
2006-07-07 15:53:15 · answer #10 · answered by .: The Girl Next Door:. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋