Why Does Sleet Bounce and Snow Float?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does sleet bounce and snow float?

The Big Idea

Sleet and snow both fall in cold weather, but they feel very different. Sleet is made of small, hard pellets of ice, so it bounces. Snowflakes are fluffy crystals that hold air, so they flutter and float.

Sleet Freezes on the Way

Step one: sleet freezes on the way down. Sleet starts as snow high up, melts into rain in a warm layer, then refreezes in a cold layer near the ground. The drops turn into tiny, hard pellets of ice.

Snow Grows as Crystals

Step two: snow grows as crystals. Where it stays freezing the whole way, water vapor turns straight into six-sided ice crystals. Many crystals stick together to make a fluffy snowflake.

Air Makes the Difference

Step three: air makes the difference. A solid ice pellet is dense and falls fast, so it bounces when it hits the ground. A snowflake is mostly trapped air, so it drifts down slowly and flutters.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at winter weather! An ice pellet is a small solid ball of frozen rain. A snow crystal is a delicate six-sided piece of ice. And together, many crystals make a flurry that floats softly down.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Sleet makes a tapping sound, and snow is nearly silent. No two snowflakes are exactly alike, but they all have six sides or arms. Sleet can make roads and sidewalks icy and slippery. Dress warmly, and walk carefully with a grown-up on icy ground.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! If it snows, catch a flake on dark fabric, like a mitten. Look at it up close with a magnifier. Count its six sides or arms. Then compare it with a sleet pellet, which will not have any.

Outro

Bounce is sleet, flutter is snow, and both are winter science. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!