Is Every Snowflake Different? Science Fiction

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Hi there, everyone, and welcome to Science Fiction.

You ask the big questions, and we give the big answers.

To the extreeeeeeeme!

What? Sorry, are we not being extreme any more?

BUD E, why don't you give us today's question?

Today's question comes from Blinky in Helsinki.

He asks...

Clouds contain water vapour, which is H2O in gas form.

If the cloud gets cold enough, this vapour turns to raindrops.

Oh, rain, rain, rain, rain... I'm so sick of rain.

When the temperature goes below zero degrees, this vapour turns into

tiny pieces of ice, the beginnings of snowflakes.

And they're all the exact same. You've seen one, you've seen 'em all.

Same. Same. Same. Same. Same.

-Not true, Professor.

-Huh?

Each one is an individual crystal

arranged in a symmetrical pattern with six arms.

As the snowflake falls to the ground,

more and more water vapour freezes onto it, and the arms grow.

Now, the shape of the arms depends on the atmospheric conditions -

temperature, humidity...

..seagulls, aeroplanes, UFOs...

Professor, don't be ridiculous!

Sorry, love. Sorry. OK, look,

different conditions. Got it.

So by the time they hit the ground,

there's no chance of them being the same, is that it?

Well, they could be the same in theory, but it's extremely unlikely.

So there you go, Blinky, the chances of any two snowflakes

being the same are extremely slim.

Sure, that's just a load of old science fiction.

# Science fiction! #

Same. Same. Same. Same. Same. Same. Same. Same.

Same. Same. Same. Same. Same. Same. Same.