True or False? The Most Enduring Myths About Snow and Ice

Snow is White: The Color Conundrum

The belief that snow is white is a common misconception rooted in our perception of color. In reality, snow is composed of ice crystals that are transparent. The white appearance is due to the reflection and scattering of sunlight by the myriad of tiny surfaces within the snow. Each crystal reflects light in multiple directions, diffusing the entire spectrum of light, which our eyes perceive as white. This phenomenon is similar to how clouds appear white despite being composed of water droplets. Thus, while snow appears white, its true color is a fascinating interplay of light and structure.