(3/12) A tiny ice grain, or a single ice crystal, is made of regularly organized water molecules whose X-ray structure is illustrated above (white globes are the water O atoms. # Click each figure). A hexagonal pattern is observed when we look at the water arrangement, so that it is called “hexagonal single ice crystal” denoted Ih [1]. As shown, a set of water atoms constructing a specific plane are named basal plane, 1st prism plane, 2nd prism plane, or pyramidal plane, among which the hexagonal pattern is only observed in the basal plane. This hexagonal morphology is not energetically stable in water, so that it changes into a rounded disk-like shape, as observed in the photomicroscope snapshot (page 2). The hyperactive AFP identified from the stag beetle locates some linearly organized waters that construct a part of the basal- and prism planes of Ih. (->next) (->page1) (->home) |
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