Snow-Crystal Symmetry

 Snowflake Formation

      This is an exploration of why the six branches of a single snowflake are essentially identical.

     Snowflakes form in the upper moist atmosphere, where the temperature is -8° to +14°F, when a tiny droplet freezes and falls for 30-45 minutes, during which the moisture in the surrounding air clings to and freezes adding to its size and weight.  

 

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 Photos: Ken Libbrecht                                 

 

Why are the branches identical?

      The 6-axis shape of a snowflake is the result of the 3-atom water molecule (H2O) which aligns itself in a hexagonal structure.  What is yet to be answered is why all 6 arms of any one snowflake essentially identical.  

     “Experts” have been too ready to say the weather on both sides of the flake was identical as it was falling, “so naturally the arms would be identical”. Hold on!  That answer is far too glib.  

      The question I hope to answer is how and why each arm is essentially identical to the other arms in the same snowflake.  

 

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Vibration vs shape.  

 

     Collision of a snow crystal on another creates vibration, rumbles, crackles and squeaks.  If when those sounds reach the central hub, and radiate outward to make all the arms grow with identical patterns.  

   Dropping a fork on the floor, sounds different than dropping a pan.  Each has its own acoustical signature.  Knowing that each shape creates its own acoustical pattern when mechanically struck, it”s reasonable to think that each sound would create a unique shape of water while freezing.

 

     I theorize that arms of any snowflake are identical with other arms of that same flake due to mechanical vibration radiating out from the hub which is common to all arms of that particular flake, and different than the same vibrations of any other flake.  

 

     When flakes collide, mechanical vibration emanates from the strike point into the hub, and then radially outward to each arm.  The water freezes on each arm in a shape using the acoustical signature radiating outward from the hub.  

 

     In the case of a snowflake, which is colliding with other flakes, with each collision, it will vibrate in proportion to its size and the strength of the collision, but also in the direction of the collision, and in accordance of the acoustical signature, determined by its shape.  As it falls, and grows in size and weight, its acoustical signature changes.  The sound waves travel from where being hit into the hub of the flake, and outward  into every arm.  It’s logical to infer that all six arms age getting the same vibration, all within the moist atmosphere, and that the moisture on all arms is freezing in the same shape.  The hub is the common support, and conduit for mechanical information for all arms.  

As surrounding moisture comes in contact with, and freezes to the emerging flake, it gets heavier.  During its approximately 15 minute fall from the sky, it collides with other

     There is communication and coordination that forms six nearly identical branches within a single snow crystal. Ice crystals, that make up snow flakes, are not injection molded or made with a 3-D printer, or any artificial means.  There is no software to guide their shape.

     As moisture freezes, crystalizes, and the flakes fall through the air, they randomly collide with other particles.  Those collisions create shock waves that travel to the central nub and then radiate outward to all sides.  The vibrations set up patterns that influence the shape of the water as it freezes.

    There is no exact analogy of water freezing in weightless space, however they share the weightless condition of people in the ISS (International Space station) or the Zero-Gravity Vomit Comet airplane.  

There are few examples of objects like balls on a pool table, or bumper cars that collide at random directions and force.  There are even fewer examples of impacts, and the resulting direction change, in weightless __ in zero-gravity where astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), or the the Zero-gravity aircraft shown here.  Each collision or impact affects the direction of both objects.

      In the case of a snowflake, the vibration from the impact creates an acoustical/mechanical signature from the point to impact to the hub where if radiates outward to all six branches, or arms.  The strength of the impact, and the direction of the impact, and other features of the acoustical signature (the frequency and other things that make up the acoustical signature) 

      Each arm is getting the same vibration, in strength and frequency (the acoustical signature) which is loaded with information, which form the programming for each are to take on the shape of the original arm;   The other arm have no choice but to freeze new water in the shape according to the instructions being sent it.

      Studies exist to describe snow-crystal growth, the atmospheric conditions, the rate of growth, typical size and provide an explanation of why crystals are unique.  However, no explanation has been found about why the branches of a snow crystal are essentially identical to the other branches of the same snow crystal.  

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      Most objects produce vibrational patterns with irregularities called acoustical signatures.  Think of the distinctive sounds of a metal wrench dropped on a concrete floor, a bouncing basketball, a spoon tapped on a water glass.  The acoustical signature is unique for each object based on its material, size and shape.  

     The corollary is that moisture will freeze in a unique pattern in the presence of an acoustical signature.  In this situation, moisture will freeze in nearly identical shapes on the six sides of the hub while collecting more building material (moisture) in the presence of an acoustical vibration, ex.: random collisions, and minute cracking, popping and squeaking sounds that occur during freezing.  Like an airplane being built while in flight.

      For example, if water freezes while holding a standing wave, it will retain that shape.  On an ice crystal, a similar situation exists within the hexagonal geometry inherent in the 3-atom structure of an H₂O molecule.