❓ why
Why is snow white?
weatherphysics
Quick Answer
Snow is made of countless tiny ice crystals whose many surfaces scatter all colours of light equally, which we see as white.
The Full Story
Individual ice crystals are clear, but a snowflake has many facets and a pile of snow contains countless crystals and air pockets. Light bouncing through them is scattered in all directions, and because no colour is absorbed much, all wavelengths return to our eyes together as white. Fresh snow reflects up to about 90% of sunlight. In deep holes or thick compacted snow, red light is absorbed more, giving a blue tint.
Key Facts
1.Fresh snow can be over 90% air.
2.Snow's high reflectivity is why snow blindness and severe sunburn happen in mountains.
3.Glacial ice appears blue because it absorbs red light.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Why Snow Is White When Ice Is Clear"