Publication Date:
1985-01-01
Description:
Relations between the structure and falling motion of early snowflakes, ie those composed of a few crystals, were investigated to clarify their growth process. The following results were obtained: (1) Two crystals of the same shape in a snowflake are similar in size, but those of different shape are considerably different in size. (2) In snowflakes having two crystals of the same shape, one crystal is attached near the center of the other; where the two are of different shapes, a smaller crystal is attached near the tip of the other. (3) The nondimensional amplitude of the spiral falling motion of snowflakes composed of two crystals of different shape, is slightly larger than for those with crystals of the same shape. This suggests that snowflakes composed of different shapes are more likely to aggregate to other snowflakes or crystals. (4) In snowflakes consisting ?G three crystals, the centers are usually arranged in a straight line. (5) The nondimensional amplitude of the spiral motion of snowflakes consisting of three crystals increases with departures from the straight-line arrangement of their centers.
Print ISSN:
0260-3055
Electronic ISSN:
1727-5644
Topics:
Geography
,
Geosciences
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