Snowflakes
Youve probably heard that no two snowflakes are alike.Of course,nobody has ever confirmed that statement by examining every one of the estimated one septillion snowflakes that drift to Earth each year.still,Kenneth Libbrecht,a professor at the California Institute of Technology,is confident that the statement is true.
Snowflakes arent flaky,says Libbrecht.At their basic level,theyre crystalline.The lattice of every snowflake is six-sided in shape.The simplest snow crystals are six-sided flat plates and six-sided columns.Such crystals are common in places where the air is extremely cold and dry.Snow crystals acquire their special beauty when their simple six-sided symmetry blossoms.Under the right conditions,each of the six corners of a crystal sprouts what is called an arm.In a matter of minutes,the arms can become highly ornate and give the crystal a star like appearance.
Several factors in the environment affect the shape and growth rate of a snow crystal.One factor is humidity.Crystals grow faster and in more intricate shape as humidity increases.A second factor is air temperature.A snowflake is born when several molecules of water vapor in a could land on a speck of dust and freeze to form a simple crystal.As the young crystal bops around in the cloud,it passes through air pockets of varying temperatures.If the crystal passes through a pocket of air that is,says,15 degrees Celsius,it will grow quickly and sprout six arms,says Libbrecht.If the crystal is then tossed into a warmer pocket,one about-10℃,the arms tips will stop growing quickly and form six-side plates.If the crystal then drifts into an even warmer pocket of about -℃,its top and bottom will grow more quickly than its sides and become more column like in shape.
In the course of its life span,a snow-crystal might flutter through many warmer and colder pockets,acquiring a complicated and unique growth history.Such a history will give rise to a snowflake that is unlike any other.Each arm on the snowflake will look exactly like every other one,but the crystal itself will be one of a kind.
Using his cooling tanks,Libbrecht has learned how to create snow crystals of different shapesplates,colhuns,needles etc.Libbrecht has even refined his techniques so that he can make crystals that look highly similar to one another.Still,he lacks the control to manufacture identical twin snowflakes.A slight difference in humidity and temperature can upset the growth profile of a crystal.
国内英语资讯:Economic Watch: China leverages monetary tools to channel funds into real economy
国内英语资讯:Senior lawmakers study Xis speech on Civil Code, schedule legislative session
调查:近四成受访美国人为防新冠用漂白剂洗果蔬
国内英语资讯:Political advisors pool wisdom on revising administrative reconsideration law
好莱坞要复工了——但是很多东西都变了
国际英语资讯:Interview: ASEAN deputy chief expects more trade between ASEAN, China
梦
穿错衣服了
快乐的六一
Upstairs? 明升暗降
Why I Like Ebook 我为什么喜欢电子书
一定要早睡早起
送温暖
The Pros and Cons of Computer 电脑的利弊
国际英语资讯:New York state governor unveils police reform agenda in wake of George Floyd death
How to Spend the Weekend 如何度过周末
Mobile Phones Control Us 手机控制了我们
国内英语资讯:Commentary: Xis Yellow River tour a boost to ecological protection, high-quality developme
丁丁不当苍蝇学家
Should Smoking In Public Places Be Banned? 公共场所禁烟
给灾区小朋友的一封信
国内英语资讯:China to establish special transfer payment mechanism for fiscal funds
The Experience of Being Cheated 被骗的经历
PE Class Should Not be Occupied 体育课不该被剥夺
国际英语资讯:Sudan grateful for Chinas support to anti-coronavirus efforts
错一道题真要命
投篮
国内英语资讯:Xi pledges continuous support for Costa Ricas COVID-19 fight
想奶奶
什么是经济学中的"外部性"?
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |