Why is snow white and ice clear?

Question

Why is snow white and ice clear?

Answer 1

Snow is made up of millions of tiny ice crystals that scatter

light, making it APPEAR white.  Ice is clear because its

molecules are arranged in such a way that they don't reflect

light very well.

Answer 2

Ice is mostly condensed water, formed into a solid.  This ice has very little air particles trapped in it.  

Snow however is loosely packed and full of air.  The interaction of the air and ice and light makes the snow appear as if it is white, when in actuality, it is clear.  

To get an estimate as to how much air it contains....do this little experiment next time it snows.  Fill a drinking glass with snow.  Do not pack it in, although you can but it will give you a false estimate.  Let the snow melt and see how the depth of the water changes from the depth of the snow.

A dry snow will melt at about a 10:1 ratio, where a wet snow can be as little as 6 or 8:1

Hope that helps.

Fill a glass with snow the next time it