Why is water clear but snow white?

Answer 1

Snow is white for the same reason clouds are white, a bowl of sugar is white, salt is white and a polar bear's fur is white. If you look at the individual elements that make up the whole they are transparent. Ice, sugar crystals, cloud water droplets and polar bear hairs are all transparent.

White light falling on them is scattered by the small elements. A mixture of reflection and refraction, the light is scattered back at all angles. As the light is not organised as it is with a rainbow, the colours are not separated so you see the scattered white light as white snow/cloud/sugar/fur.

Answer 2

Water is not frozen but does become frozen and then comes down as snow. Water gets into the atmosphere and into the clouds and then freezes and comes down as the beautiful white stuff. Water in a river should be clear but can become contaminated with waste dumped into it. So it may not always remain clear. But the white stuff is water frozen in little drops that become snow as it falls down.

Answer 3

I'd say it has something to do with the fact that it's made of small particles of partially-frozen water, clumped together. The molecular arrangement is such that it reflects light, rather than allowing it to pass through.

To clear up two misconceptions that have been expressed by others, here:

-If it's just because it is a solid, not a liquid, then why is ice transparent, geniuses? Solids can be transparent, too.

-White is a color, as much as any other color. EVERY color is a "reflection", except black. White is the combination of all of the colors in visible light. Each color therein is a different wavelength.

Answer 4

Snow doesn't start out as white. That color is added by the cloud angels up in the sky. Next time you see white snow, roll it into a ball and throw it at someone.. that's what god would do if he lived in the Midwest

Answer 5

because water is a liquid and snow is a solid. Can you see through your desk?? Think about it for 10 seconds

Answer 6

Air is trapped in the snowflake. If you put water in the freezer and there is air in the water, you get bubbles and the ice takes on a whitish cast.

Answer 7

snow turns liquid to solid


♥ Christina

Answer 8

Snow is made of crystals of water.
Water is in a liquid form.

Answer 9

Because it turns from liquid into a solid due to temperature.

Answer 10

Cause it white