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Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 21.05.24 - Are all snowflakes really unique?
« on: 01/06/2021 00:48:19 »
There is a lovely book by (mathematician) Prof. Ian Stewart called "What shape is a snowflake?" In it he explains more or less (if I remember correctly) that the hexagonal symmetry of snowflakes is due to the shape of the water molecule so that property is always present, but the exact shape depends on the exact conditions encountered by the snowflake on its descent, temperature, pressure, wind, dust etc. Since it is highly unlikely that 2 conditions will be identical, it is highly unlikely that 2 snowflakes will be identical. But no one has seen them all to make sure.
Clara
Clara