Q: Why are icicles shaped like long skinny carrots?
A: The icicle shape is determined by heat diffusion and conduction.
You may notice that more icicles form on the sunny south-facing side of your home than on the shaded north-facing side.
Steven A. Ackerman and Jonathan Martin, professors in the UW-Madison department of atmospheric and oceanic sciences, are guests on WHA Radio (970 AM) the last Monday of each month at 11:45 a.m