Why are snowflakes symmetrical? How can ice crystallizing on one arm 'know' the shape of the other arms on

Question

the flake?

Answer 1

Ordinary ice has a hexagonal crystal structure and this simply forms naturally into an shape which is - or appears to be - symmetrical. Actually, not all snowflakes are symmetrical when looked at under a microscope.

I understand your wondering how the snowflake could 'know' how to form, but you could just as well have asked why it is that we - humans - have arms and legs which are symmetrical. It's because it's programmed in the genes - ice is 'programmed' to form in certain shapes because of the laws of crystal formation.

I hope this makes sense!

Answer 2

Gravity must be some kind of Cristal that forms independently from , whatever, space distance to those two snow flakes If you aim a light directly away from another you get point .0...Well that means gravity is instant.Consider the snowflake as the memory of gravity condensed to cool water to make the snow flake. And the shape of the snow flake to indicate what forces were present to create it....All the way out to Saturn and back instantly..TO make the flake La Dat....

Answer 3

First of all, not all snowflakes are symmetrical. Many are, but not all.

As water crystallizes, hydrogen bonds form between the molecules. This restricts the possible alignments of the molecules and tends to produce symmetry.

Answer 4

That is a real good question and the previous answers don't do it for me. I wonder if there are crystallographers who can give a real answer.

This answer may be satisfactory -

http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/faqs/faqs.htm