Why is Snow White? The blinding whiteness of a snow covered field is actually a trick of physics. Here’s the breakdown: Transparent Foundations: Snow is made of ice crystals, which are clear. So why aren't they see through? The Scattering Effect: When light hits a snowflake, its complex structure scatters the light in every direction. This is called "diffuse reflection." The Color Mix: Because snow reflects all wavelengths of visible light equally, our brains process that "total reflection" as the color white. Fun Fact: If you look deep into a snowbank or a glacier, the red light is absorbed first, leaving only the blue wavelengths to bounce back to your eyes. Nature is just physics in disguise.