Recently, a curious debate has emerged regarding the authenticity of snow, with some claiming it may not be real. Memphis city council members, including Pearl Eva Walker and Yolanda Cooper Sutton, have sparked discussions online by suggesting that the snow we see might be artificial.
Sutton shared a video on social media showcasing her husband conducting an experiment with a snowball and a lighter. As he held the flame to the snowball, it remained intact, leading to Sutton's astonished remarks about its behavior.
In response to the video, Walker commented, "man made," and shared another clip demonstrating the same phenomenon. Such posts tend to surface after significant snowfall events, raising questions about the nature of the snow itself.
Understanding the Reality of Snow
To clarify, snow is indeed a natural occurrence. The skepticism from the Memphis council members is understandable, as videos depicting unusual reactions of snow can be quite convincing. However, these clips are not the result of artificial snow or deception; they depict the effects of heat applied to genuine snow.
Why Snow Appears Not to Melt
Snow is primarily composed of 90-95% air, which means it contains significantly less water than one might expect. When heat is applied, a process called sublimation occurs, where the solid snow transforms directly into vapor without turning into liquid first. This explains why snow can seem to vanish without melting in the conventional sense.
Additionally, snow's porous nature contributes to this illusion. As a snowball melts, water is drawn to the center through capillary action, filling the air pockets within the snow. This phenomenon can be observed when snow is subjected to heat.
What About the Black Marks on Snow?
The dark marks seen on snow during these experiments are not evidence of burning snow. Instead, they result from the combustion of fuels such as butane, which produces carbon soot that settles on the snow's surface. The snow itself does not catch fire, confirming its authenticity.
Some individuals have reported a burning plastic smell during these experiments, which can be attributed to incomplete combustion of the butane, rather than any synthetic material. This chemical odor can easily be mistaken for plastic, especially when soot is involved.
Creating the "Burning Snow" Effect
If you're curious and want to explore this phenomenon yourself, here's how you can replicate the "burning snow" illusion:
Pack some snow tightly into a snowball.
Use a butane lighter to apply flame for a few seconds.
Observe the minimal water dripping and how the snow appears to "disappear."
Notice the edges of the scorch mark where melted water is drawn inward.
To debunk any myths, simply hold the snow in your hand, and it will melt into water.
Can Fake Snow Be Created?
While it's possible to produce artificial snow, typically seen at ski resorts, the logistics of creating a widespread snow event would be monumental. The scale of such an operation would make it impractical and easily noticeable.
Artificial snow is generated by spraying pressurized water into freezing air, but covering an entire city would require an enormous amount of water and resources, making it an unrealistic endeavor.
Conclusion: The Nature of Snow
While humans can influence weather patterns through climate change, we cannot control weather phenomena such as snowfall. The snow that falls is real, composed of frozen water crystals, just as it has always been.