2006-10-29 07:38:22 · 7 answers · asked by Lisa 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
A single snowflake is clear, but has a refractive crytalline structure. The "white" effect is multiplied by refraction between all of those clear flakes lying together.
2006-10-29 07:42:01 · answer #1 · answered by Jim P 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Part of the color spectrum we see is volume and reflected light.
Thats why most skinny clouds are white but the fat ones full of rain appear darker. Each raindrop usually contains a small bit of dust particle as well.
Snow is rain crystalized and frozen. It usually has the dust particle in it which is why it appears white.
Ice for the most part is clear because it doesnt have the dust particle as it has been formed from melted snow that loses the dust particle when it melts
2006-10-29 07:51:57 · answer #2 · answered by mslider2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Snow is has multiple angles therefore refraction of light is from multiple sources, giving it a white appearance upon reflection. Ice is generally denser however has less surfaces than an snow flake. ergo light reflection occurs off less surfaces giving it a transperent characteristic
2006-10-29 07:49:23 · answer #3 · answered by xanaximenesis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have obviously not lived in Moscow. There, the snow is white for about two minutes. Once it's on the ground it is instantly black. The ice is covered by black snow so who knows what colour that is!
2006-10-29 09:17:56 · answer #4 · answered by Val G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ice made from pure water is actually BLUE. You don't normally see it in large enough slabs to get any sense of this. However, go to a glacier and it's clear to see. Blue.
2006-10-29 10:42:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
the snow has other structure, breaking the light different as eis.
2006-10-29 07:41:39 · answer #6 · answered by zerokomp 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same reflective water. Different refraction waves .
2006-10-29 08:04:20 · answer #7 · answered by redjonjak 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋