Hoarfrost is considered the most beautiful natural phenomenon. Its sparkling magnificence and filigree patterns captivate us with its perfection, and poets and artists inspire the creation of beautiful works.
What is hoarfrost?
Hoarfrost is one of the states of water (vaporous), which at a temperature below 0 ° C is converted into a thin layer of crystalline ice. Each pattern is unusual and unique.
This phenomenon is explained by the fact that different values of minus temperature do not affect the formation of crystals of the ice structure in the same way. That's why frosty hoarfrost always looks different. When the temperature drops just below zero, the ice crystals are in the shape of a hexagonal prism. In moderate frost (up to -15 ° C) they resemble rectangular plates with their appearance. And if the temperature is much lower than -15 ° C, then crystalline ice appears in the form of blunt needles.
Where and how is hoarfrost formed?
Frost appears on various objects and surfaces when they are cooled to a negative temperature lower than air temperature. This happens due to the desublimation of water vapor - this means that it goes into a solid state, bypassing the liquid stage. The frost layer is quite thin, and the formation process is uneven.
Studying the formation of hoarfrost, scientists came to the conclusion that most of all this is favored by clear nights with little or no wind. As a rule, this happens in early spring, late autumn or winter, when the layer of air at the surface of the earth contains a lot of water vapor.
Under such weather conditions, a sparkling layer necessarily appears on various rough surfaces with low thermal conductivity, such as open soil, grass, wooden benches, tree trunks, house roofs and others. How is frost formed on these surfaces? This is due to the fact that the water vapor, cooling, turns into small ice crystals. Moreover, a wind of insignificant force further contributes to this process, updating the masses of moist air.
Harvesting trees - frost or hoarfrost?
Rime on the trees is a delightful sight. The sight of snow-white sparkling trees and shrubs leaves no one indifferent. Although in reality they are covered not by hoarfrost, but by frost. For a simple layman, these two concepts are identical, but scientists strictly separate them. Despite the fact that frost also forms as a result of desublimation of water vapor, this process occurs only at temperatures below -15 ° C and in the presence of fog. Moreover, it covers only long thin objects, such as wires, as well as branches of green spaces.
Therefore, frost on trees from a scientific point of view is only their trunks covered with ice crystals. And the snow-white dress of the branches is frost. Although, if you look like that, what's the difference, the main thing is that it is very beautiful!
Window Glass Patterns
Winter fairy tale - this is how we perceive the cold season. What kind of decorations does not use winter. Rime among them is the most exquisite. Moreover, in all its beauty, it manifests itself in patterns on window panes. Air saturated with water vapor is cooled at 0 ° and below, as a result of which condensation of excess moisture occurs on cold window panes. Frost appears on them in the same way as on other surfaces - water from its vapor state, bypassing the liquid stage, passes into solid, turning into crystalline ice.
What are the patterns of hoarfrost?
You probably paid attention to the quirkiness and originality of the frosty "painting". Nature draws with hoarfrost such patterns that are not subject to the brush of the most venerable artist. Why does the formation of frost on the window pane lead to such masterpieces? The reason is ridiculously simple - bumps, roughness and scratches of the glass itself. After all, it is on them that frost is formed in the first place. Arising, ice crystals seem to be strung on each other and weave these magical lace. Moreover, the dust settled on the windows and airflows help them in this.
Among the variety of patterns from hoarfrost, two species are most often found - trichitis and dendrites.
Trichitis resemble fibers of different lengths and sizes. They are formed on glass mottled with small scratches. First, frost appears on them in the form of crystalline stripes. The lower the air temperature becomes, the more fibers that take curved shapes begin to move away from this main line.
How is frost formed in the form of dendrites, which are tree-like forms? This process occurs on window panes, the cooling of which began at zero temperature and continued as it decreased. Moreover, the air humidity should be increased. First, the glass is covered with a wet film, which accumulates more in its lower part. The "branches" of the patterns here are formed quite large, and rising up the glass, they become shorter and thinner.
Hoarfrost at home
As you know, frost can be found not only in nature. Those who have a refrigerator with an evaporator are familiar with it firsthand. Indeed, it is hoarfrost that causes a violation of heat transfer in the refrigerator compartment itself, as a result of which the unit must be periodically thawed. How is frost formed in the refrigerator? The reason for this is moisture, on the one hand, evaporating from the products, and on the other hand, falling into the chamber while opening the refrigerator door.
Many amazing and beautiful phenomena created by nature. Indeed, you must agree that when you go out in the early morning in frosty winter weather, you can enjoy the picturesque patterns created by hoarfrost.