Why Does Snow Squeak When It Is Very Cold?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does snow squeak when it is very cold?

The Big Idea

Snow squeaks in very cold weather because the crystals are hard and dry! When you step on them, they crush and rub in rapid-fire. All those tiny cracks together make the squeak.

Hard Dry Crystals

Step one: hard crystals. When it is very cold, snow crystals are hard and dry. They act like tiny sticks of ice instead of soft, wet flakes, so they break instead of bending.

Crush and Rub

Step two: crush and rub. When you step, the crystals crush and rub against each other. Many tiny breaks happen in rapid-fire, thousands in a moment. Each tiny break is too small to hear alone.

A Squeak

Step three: the squeak. The quick tiny cracks blend together into one squeaky sound. In warm snow, a thin layer of water makes the snow soft and quiet. Squeaky snow is the sound of thousands of crystals breaking.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The snow is very cold and dry. Your boot crushes the crystals. They crack in rapid-fire. And you hear a squeak under your boots.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Snow squeaks most when it is colder than about minus 10 degrees Celsius. Warm, wet snow packs together and stays quiet. Snow also soaks up sound, which is why snowy days feel hushed. Dress warmly, and ask a grown-up before going out in extreme cold.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, try this! On a very cold day, walk on fresh snow and listen. On a warmer day, listen again. Write down the temperatures. Which day was squeakier?

Outro

Cold, dry snow crystals crack and squeak under your boots. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!