Hoarfrost - what is the state of the water?

Winter gives residents 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 that is in the air. But this poet's dream would have been impossible without such a phenomenon of nature as hoarfrost. This is what state of water? We will tell below.

The meaning of the word "hoarfrost"

Understanding the basics of natural processes requires a minimum knowledge of elementary values. First of all it is necessary to understand the lexical meaning of the word in the dictionary. So, hoarfrost is frozen fumes, dampness that is in the air. The phenomenon that occurs after the impact of severe frosts.

From warm breathing frost can be formed on the collar of clothing, hair and beard. These words describe the natural miracle of the explanatory dictionary of Dahl. If we consider the meaning of the expression from the point of view of the physical properties of the substance, we can find out that the frost is a vaporous state of the water mass. Formed when the temperature is below zero degrees Celsius. At this time the water is converted into crystalline ice. Like snowflakes, the frost particles can not have the same shape. Each compound of molecules is individual.

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. If there is the same temperature on the street, the frost crystals will never have the same shape. At temperatures below zero by several degrees, the crystal structure takes on a hexagonal shape. Moderate frost builds new geometric shapes - the frost particles turn into rectangular ice cubes. Strong colds cause water to turn into spiky needles.

Rime formation

Any natural phenomenon has a physical basis. For example, when the surface of the object is cooled to a temperature below the ambient air, the object is covered with hoarfrost. This process is explained by the appearance of a desublimation reaction of vapor particles with its gradual transition to a 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 differs in the fineness of the coating.

What natural processes contribute to the appearance of hoarfrost

For a long time inquisitive minds have experimentally calculated the influence of nature on the formation of the frost layer. It was concluded that the most favorable weather for the appearance of ice crystals is clear and windless. Light gusts of air masses only favor the acceleration of the process, thus renewing wet air vapors.

Usually such a manifestation of natural activity can be observed on cool spring nights, late autumn, and also during periods of winter reign. It is during these time periods that the water vapor is hovering above the surface of the earth, which are successfully transformed into picturesque frost particles. It is noticed that the layer of hoarfrost appears mainly on rough surfaces, unable to keep warm: open plots of land, benches made of wood, branches, roofs of buildings, dry grass. Cooling the steam leads to the fact that the whole earth is decorated with silvery crystals.

Also, frost can form in the home refrigerator when moisture enters the chamber and the water evaporates inside it. In order for the device to work properly, it is necessary to defrost it periodically.

Frosty painting on the windows

In winter, every person notices on the glass windows beautiful patterns. This process is justified by the formation of condensate on the window structure. If you observe the direction of the drawing, you can notice a variety of strokes. The reason for the appearance of always different masterpieces on the window glass is the unevenness of the surface. Occurring with a drop in temperature, the crystals collide with one another, turning into a chaotic lace cloth.

Trichits and dendrites

There are two main types of patterns that draw frost on the glass. Trichits resemble fibrous material. They are created on the glass with a lot of small scratches. Dendrites are like trees with carefully traced branches and resemble a real picture.

The difference between frost and frost

When people see trees shimmering with beautiful snowflakes, they conclude that they are rife with frost. But it is not so. Despite the apparent similarity, scientists clearly distinguish between such concepts as frost and frost. And all because the second phenomenon appears only in the presence of temperature below fifteen degrees Celsius. Also, one of the important conditions is the formation of fog. Frost has the ability to cover only thin objects: branches of bushes and trees, wires and fences. Thus, hoarfrost is crystals on the trunks of plantations, and a chic white dress is a frost.