What is the difference between ice and snow

There are various forms of water of which Ice and Snow are various states of water. Ice is a solid-state of water. They are in the form of flakes. The chemical composition of both is the same, but they differ in their formation and physical state. The difference between Ice and Snow is that Ice is formed by freezing water while Snow is formed by freezing water vapor. Both Ice and Snow are formed by water. Ice can be formed artificially but Snow is purely natural.

Ice can be found in various forms like ice cubes, frost, etc. Whereas Snow is found only in the form of snowflakes. Ice is formed when water is frozen either naturally or artificially using cool frozen winds. Cool frozen winds convert water into its solid form. Ice cubes are used in turning things such as deserts, drinks, and creams into frozen form. There are various forms of ice such as block ice, crushed ice, crescent ice, full cube, nugget ice, and so on.

Snow is a soft white flake that is formed by frozen precipitation of ice crystals. It is formed naturally due to variations in environmental conditions. It naturally falls on the earth during the winter season. Snow is a frozen atmospheric vapor. Artificial Snow becomes icy after some time which is not a real Snow characteristic.

Ice is a product of water formed when water is in its frozen form. There are various types of forms of Ice, which have their own features, melt rate, applications, usage, and benefits. Molecules of water associate with each other as the temperature tends to drops. This association forms a pattern just like a bunch of interlocked hexagons.

This particular pattern forms the ice. Ice floats as it is 9 percent less denser than water. Snow is a frozen precipitation that is formed when atmospheric water vapor freezes under extremely cold temperatures. It is build up of ice crystals which are packed together. These ice crystals are called snowflakes.

It occurs in a granular form. Generally, snow is defined as a soft, white and fluffy substance. However, under external pressure these attributes are subjected to change. When the snow precipitates from clouds, the process is known as Snowfall. Among the clouds, nimbostratus clouds produce the best snow.

These clouds are dark in color and retain plenty of water. Snow and ice both need a cold atmosphere to be created. Ice can exist in many forms such as ice cubes, frost, etc. However, snow can only exist in one form as snowflakes. We can even say that snow is a form of ice. Let us see what more we can find about snow and ice that will help us to understand the difference between snow and ice better.

Ice is a frozen form of water. Ice can be formed due to cool frozen winds that tend to convert transparent flowing water into becoming solid. So, ice is nothing but frozen water. We have said that ice forms due to natural causes. However, ice can be formed artificially too. Ice can be formed artificially in the refrigerator in our homes. They are used in the making of cool drinks to quench our thirst in summer.

Ice is also generally used to mix alcoholic beverages.