Isabella+DiPasquale

= Why Do Icicles Freeze in Ripples? =



**Gravity ** A thin water layer glides over the growing surface of the icicle. Do to the constant force of gravity that is present, the water is always being pushed downward, creating a cone shape. The deposition on the surface continues to change the icicle's shape, creating a ripple effect. As the shapes and ripples accumulate, it feeds back to how the water flows over, freezes and what shape it takes. **Weather ** In order for icicles to take form, weather conditions must be exact. The optimal time is when there has been a snowstorm and the snow has had a chance to settle, the temperature is at freezing level. Icicles will begin to form on days where the sun is shining despite the cold temperatures. Icicle location is determined by where the sun's ray's are shining down directly. The sun will melt the snow and ice and cause the resulting water to drip down the nearest edge. **Heat ** The thin fluid layer on the surface of an icicle gives off heat that warms the air around it through a process called conduction. The warmer air begins to rise, removing heat from the liquid layer and causes it to freeze. It's important to know that the source of heated air is widest at the very top of the icicle, conduction is at its slowest here.

**References:**
Binns, Corey. "Icicle Formation Mystery Solved." //Live Science // . TechMediaNetwork,  n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.  1074-icicle-formation-mystery-solved.html>."Icicle from Below." //Nonlinear Physics // . The Experimental Nonlinear Physics  Group, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2013.  edl/icicleripples/icicleripples.html>. //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Nonlinear Physics // <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">. The Experimental Nonlinear Physics Group, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> 2013. <http://www.physics.utoronto.ca/~smorris/edl/icicleripples/ <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Arial,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> icicle_out2.jpg>. = =