Which Shape Is a Snowflake?

Water molecules in the solid state, such as in ice and snow, form weak bonds (called hydrogen bonds) to one another. These ordered arrangements result in the basic symmetrical, hexagonal shape of the snowflake.

How many shapes does a snowflake have?

Snowflakes All Fall In One of 35 Different Shapes. The stunning diversity of snowflakes gives rise to the idea that every single one is unique. While "no two flakes alike" might be an attractive metaphor, it isn't entirely true.

Are snowflakes hexagonal?

A: The shape of snowflakes is driven by the crystal structure of ice. ... On Earth, when these molecules come together in the sky to create ice, they arrange themselves in a lattice of hexagonal rings. “This crystal structure means that snowflakes are going to exhibit six-fold symmetry,” Benedict says.