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Physical Environment > Ice |
This site tells the story of the history of the universe. Click Earlier and Later to follow the story. Note: Many facts have been simplified to make them easier to understand. |
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As more water molecules stick together with hydrogen bonds, they form a regular pattern, as shown here. We see these patterns when we look at snowflakes under a microscope, or see frost on a window pane. The reason these patterns form is that the water molecules have a V shape, and hydrogen bonds form at the ends of these Vs.
As more and more molecules stick a thick layer of sticky ice grows up around each dust grain in the disk of the Galaxy. As well as water ice, many other sticky molecules stick to each dust grain. These molecules are not sticky on Earth, but they were in the cold dust clouds of space. Methane and ammonia both formed ices around dust grains. We can think of the dust grains as forming the center of tiny snowballs. |
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Physical Environment > Ice |
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Basic Information |
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