The Math Behind Snowflakes — Questions and answers
Read the full story
What did Oscar notice about the snowflakes in the picture?
Choices
- They were all different colors.
- They were all shaped like tiny circles.
- They all had six points, like little stars. ✓
- They were all melting very fast.
Answer: They all had six points, like little stars.
From page 2
Where did Oscar's father say they needed to 'travel back in time' to learn about snowflakes?
Choices
- A warm beach in Italy.
- A sunny garden in England.
- A cold winter in Prague. ✓
- A big city in America.
Answer: A cold winter in Prague.
From page 3
What was Johannes Kepler doing when he became fascinated by snowflakes?
Choices
- Watching the planets move.
- Trying to find a New Year's gift. ✓
- Reading a book by the fireplace.
- Drawing pictures of birds.
Answer: Trying to find a New Year's gift.
From page 4
According to Kepler's guess, why do snowflakes form a six-sided crystal?
Choices
- Because they like to look like stars.
- Because water molecules bond together at 120-degree angles. ✓
- Because it's the easiest shape for them to make.
- Because they want to be unique.
Answer: Because water molecules bond together at 120-degree angles.
From page 6
What did Oscar realize about the snow on Twin Peaks after learning about snowflakes?
Choices
- That the snow was fake in the picture.
- That the water molecules got cold enough to lock into hexagons. ✓
- That it only snows in San Francisco every hundred years.
- That the picture was taken on a very hot day.
Answer: That the water molecules got cold enough to lock into hexagons.
From page 8
What did Oscar say about snowflakes as she closed her notebook?
Choices
- Every snowflake looks exactly the same.
- Snowflakes are only made of water.
- Every snowflake is different, but they all follow the same six-sided math. ✓
- Snowflakes only fall in very cold places.
Answer: Every snowflake is different, but they all follow the same six-sided math.
From page 10