Chemistry Issues In-The-News Data Sheet
Name: Eric Andersen
CATEGORY: Science Journal
(Science journal, general science source, or general source)
Title of Article: Artificial Snow, Powder for the Slopes
General Topic: Artificial Snow
Source: ChemMatters
Author: Brian Rohrig
Issue Date: December, 2000
Volume: not listed
Page Number(s): 10-11
ARTICLE SYNOPSIS (minimum 1 paragraph [six sentences]) Explain the main points of the
article:
The ChemMatters issue of December 2000 looked deeper at the ability of making
artificial snow in ski resorts across the globe. At first the article discussed how complicated of a
process one single snowflake goes through before it lands. It starts at evaporation and, once in
the atmosphere, clings to a dust particle. Once the snowflake obtains enough water, it gives into
the force of gravity and is pulled down to the earth. Also in the article is a description of how a
snow machine works. The distance the snow falls down to the earth is a factor in how powdery
and light the snow becomes. To create a snow machine, it is necessary to have pressurized water,
compressed air and microscopic bacteria. Later on, the article explains the possible dangers snow
making could have on the environment.
1. What did you learn from reading the article? (Minimum 3 sentences)
I learned that without microscopic bacteria, snowflakes would become more like ice
when produced from a snow machine because the water vapor will have nothing to cling to while
falling. This would mean that the water vapor would not decelerate but instead, it would
maintain its speed. The result of the absence of bacteria is a less frozen snowflake and an
extremely icy ski resort. The article taught me the reason that the homemade snowmaker my
brother attempted to operate failed, which was because he was shooting the snow only ten feet
up into the air. The article clearly states that you need to shoot the water vapor much further into
the air in order to have it freeze before hitting the ground and becoming snow.
2. How is this article related to chemistry? (Minimum 3 sentences)
When the article explains the operation of a snow machine, it describes how compressed
air expands and the temperature drops subsequently. Also the whole concept of bacteria acting as
microscopic dust and decelerating gravity’s pull can be explained by the science of chemistry.
The commentary in addition describes how carbon emissions produced by gas operated
snowmaking machines are deteriorating the environment and lowering the skiing conditions. It
says that by using nearby streams, ski resorts are damaging the aquatic life.
3. Pick out two important points made by this article that you think other people should know
about. Why? (2 paragraphs, one for each point)
One extremely important issue affecting everyone right now is air pollution and the
article discusses the negative influence pollution has on the environment. This topic of
pollution and specifically global warming will be talked about more and more in generations
to come. For that reason, I think that everyone should at least know what the whole concept
of global warming is, simply to be able to have an opinion on the matter. By having an
opinion, political leaders will be able to set out votes that are actually reliable. Other
environmental issues covered in the article include environmental destruction, and energy
overuse. Both of these concepts should be understood by all people for the greater good of
humankind.
Another central theme that the article conveys to the reader is how enjoyable snow can be
but also how complex the process is of making it. Snow serves the task of being a fluffy
pillow beneath a skier, or snowboarder’s feet. Amazingly enough, snow has more of a
purpose than simply enjoyment. It allows for safer roads in the winter time, because before
artificial snow was created, road and car engineers had to test their snow safety features in an
uncontrolled environment. With the invention of artificial however, scientists can test to see
which chemical mixture melts ice fastest, and which type of sand should be used to provide
more traction. All of these abilities are from the invention of artificial snow and if more
people knew about it, it is possible that they could make the world a better place with
inventions of their own.