Winter gives the inhabitants of the snowy regions a beautiful fairy tale in the form of powdered trees sparkling in the bright sun, shimmering paths and a feeling of childish joy in the air. But this dream of the poet would not have been possible without such a natural phenomenon as frost. What is the state of the water? We will tell below.
Meaning of the word "hoarfrost"
Deciphering the basics of natural processes requires a minimum knowledge of elementary values. First of all, it is necessary to deal with the lexical meaning of the word in the dictionary. So, hoarfrost is frozen fumes, dampness hovering in the air. A phenomenon that occurs after a hard frost hits.
Frost can form on clothing collars, hair and beards from warm breath. Dahl's explanatory dictionary describes the natural miracle with such words. If we consider the meaning of the expression from the point of view of the physical properties of a substance, then we can find out that frost is a vaporous state of a water mass. It is formed when the temperature reaches below zero degrees Celsius. At this time, the water is transformed into crystalline ice. Like snowflakes, frost particles cannot have the same shape. Each connection of molecules is individual.
The effect of temperature on the structure of frost
Having mastered the meaning of the word "hoarfrost", you can proceed to the next stage - the explanation of the phenomenon itself. With the same temperature outside, frost crystals will never have the same shape. At temperatures below zero by a few degrees, the crystal structure takes on a hexagonal shape. Moderate frost builds new geometric shapes - frost particles turn into rectangular ice floes. Extreme cold causes water to transform into prickly needles.
Frost formation
Any natural phenomenon has a physical justification. For example, when the surface of an object is cooled to a temperature below the ambient air, the object becomes covered with frost. This process is explained by the occurrence of the desublimation reaction of vapor particles with its gradual transition to the solid state. It should be noted that the action takes place without the formation of a liquid body, in other words, bypassing it. The uneven layer has a different density and is different in the thinness of the coating.
What natural processes contribute to the formation of frost
For a long time, inquisitive minds empirically calculated the influence of nature on the formation of a layer of frost. It was concluded that the most favorable weather for the occurrence of ice crystals is clear and calm. Light gusts of air masses only favor the acceleration of the process, thus the renewal of moist air vapor occurs.
Usually this manifestation of natural activity can be observed on cool springat night, in late autumn, and also during periods of winter reign. It is during these time periods that water vapor hovers over the surface of the earth, which are successfully transformed into picturesque particles of hoarfrost. It is noticed that a layer of frost occurs mainly on rough surfaces that are unable to warm up: open areas of land, benches made of wood, branches, roofs of buildings, dry grass. The cooling of the steam causes the entire earth to be adorned with silvery crystals.
Also, frost can form in a home refrigerator when moisture enters the chamber and the water inside evaporates. In order for the appliance to work properly, it is required to defrost it periodically.
Frost painting on windows
In winter, everyone notices beautiful patterns on glass windows. This process is justified by the formation of condensate on the window structure. If you observe the direction of the pattern, you can notice a variety of strokes. The reason for the appearance of always different masterpieces on window glass is the unevenness of the surface. Occurring when the temperature drops, the crystals collide with each other, turning into a chaotic lace fabric.
Trichites and dendrites
There are two main types of patterns that frost draws on glass. Trichytes resemble fibrous material. They are created on glass with a lot of small scratches. Dendrites look like trees with carefully drawn branches and resemble a real painting.
The difference between frost and frost
When peoplethey see trees shimmering with beautiful snowflakes, they conclude that there is frost in front of them. But it is not so. Despite the apparent similarity, scientists clearly distinguish between such concepts as "hoarfrost" and "frost". And all because the second phenomenon appears only when the temperature is below fifteen degrees Celsius. Also one of the important conditions is the formation of fog. Hoarfrost has the ability to cover only thin objects: twigs of bushes and trees, wires and fences. Thus, frost is crystals on the trunks of plantings, and chic snow-white decoration is frost.
