Maggie's Farm

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Monday, January 16. 2017

Sublimation

Sublimation is the process by which a solid goes directly to a vapor. Snow does that, even when it's below freezing. It evaporates. It's finally above freezing during the daytime here, at least for a day or two.


Somewhat related: Do you know the old expression Snow is the Poor Man's Fertilizer?



Posted by Bird Dog in Natural History and Conservation at 14:19 | Comments (11) | Trackbacks (0)

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Which brings forth the old saw from my days as an engineering undergrad: "From the ridiculous to the sublimed."
#1 Gringo on 2009-03-09 10:02 (Reply)
I've heard the expression that snow is a poor mans fertilizer. In my mind I've correlated heavy snows with spring berry production, since I seem to have heavier harvests after snowy seasons.

Any one else observe that?
#2 lonetown on 2009-03-09 11:48 (Reply)
OHH--so that explains it ! During the last dozen years of drought the raspberry production has steadily declined in the Rockies.
#3 apple pie on 2009-03-09 12:36 (Reply)
My grandfather used that expression--or was it 'poor man's manure"?? Anyway, ever notice how green the grass looks after a spring snow melts? As far as crops doing better after a snowy winter I think it's because things really stay dormant until they're ready, not starting to sprout and then getting refrozen by intermittant thawing.
#4 linda s on 2009-03-10 11:11 (Reply)
A few years ago, I noticed how much our drought-stressed lawn greened up after a rain compared to a good soaking with our city water. I guess this is the same principle.
#5 dianainsa on 2017-01-16 15:26 (Reply)
The opposite of sublimation is also true - as the temperature drops in a humid air mass, the capacity to carry moisture also drops, and water freezes and precipitates. Working on the Asian Steppe many years ago, it was not uncommon to see a light, fine snow falling on a perfectly cloudless, sunny day, blue sky and all.

Kind of freaks you out.
#6 Aggie on 2017-01-16 16:13 (Reply)
HHmmm.
Freeze Dried Snow. Who'd a thunk it.
#7 Bill on 2017-01-16 17:07 (Reply)
Stinky linky.
#8 Fred Z on 2017-01-16 20:37 (Reply)
That's a 404. good buddy!
#8.1 Sam L. on 2017-01-16 21:29 (Reply)
that saying came about because of the airborne nitrogen and other trace minerals being captured by the freezing moisture and precipitating to the ground.
#9 gregor on 2017-01-17 07:12 (Reply)
Look at all those snowflakes. Surely they need a safe space. Maggie's should take them in. Don't expect them to compensate you with labor, though.
#10 oolioo (Link) on 2017-01-17 11:14 (Reply)

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