Dendrites, needles, and sector plates are forms of which type of precipitation?

Dendrites, needles, and sector plates are specific crystal forms of snowflakes that develop as water vapor in the atmosphere crystallizes into ice. Each of these forms has distinct shapes and characteristics that define how snowflakes can appear.

Dendrites are the classic "snowflake shape," with branches extending outwards, forming a star-like pattern. Needles are elongated and have a more slender appearance, while sector plates are flat, hexagonal crystals that can exhibit different structural patterns. These forms arise due to various atmospheric conditions—temperature, humidity, and pressure—that affect how the water vapor freezes and grows as it falls to the ground.

Rain, hail, and freezing rain refer to liquid water or water in a more chaotic solid state derived from sleet or ice pellets, rather than the specific crystalline structures found in snow. Snow represents the precipitation type that encapsulates these crystalline forms, making it the correct choice in this context.