Buzz
Many individuals hesitate to admit their lack of certainty, particularly when it comes to scientific topics. Some even argue that no one could possibly hold such misguided views about physics, astronomy, biology, meteorology, botany, pathology, geography, embryology, and other scientific disciplines. However, educators and scientists are well aware that these seemingly 'impossible' beliefs are surprisingly common among both the general public and students at all levels of education.
Although it’s likely that most people aren’t entirely scientifically illiterate, it’s equally probable that many, if not most, have significant gaps in their understanding of scientific fields and hold several incorrect beliefs. Those who cling to the misconceptions listed here are no exception.
10. Bubbles in Boiling Water Are Mostly Composed of Air
Researchers at Oakland University discovered that some individuals struggle to grasp scientific concepts, often because these ideas clash with their everyday experiences. People tend to favor beliefs that align with their own perceptions. For instance, as revealed by a true-or-false test, some participants believed that the bubbles formed in boiling water are primarily made up of air.
When water is heated in a container, bubbles initially form from atmospheric gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. As the temperature rises, the composition of these bubbles shifts. Water vapor begins to envelop the air bubbles as the liquid starts to evaporate. Once the water hits its boiling point (100°C or 212°F), the bubbles are entirely composed of water vapor. Similar to the initial air bubbles, these vapor bubbles expand as they rise to the surface, where the surrounding pressure decreases.
9. Black Holes Devour Everything in Their Path
Many believe that black holes are inescapable and invisible because they consume light. This leads to the assumption that if a black hole forms at the center of a galaxy, it will eventually engulf all nearby stars, gas, and dust. These ideas reflect common misunderstandings about the nature and behavior of black holes.
Contrary to popular belief, black holes are not cosmic vacuum cleaners. If our sun were to collapse into a black hole, it wouldn’t devour the Milky Way. It would shrink to a mere six kilometers (four miles) in diameter, but its gravitational pull on the planets would remain unchanged, as its mass and distance from them would stay the same. The orbits of the planets and the sun itself would remain unaffected. However, life on Earth would cease due to the absence of sunlight, not because we’d be sucked into a black hole.
8. Diamonds Are Formed from Coal
In DC Comics, Superman sometimes demonstrates his generosity by compressing a piece of coal, using his heat vision to apply immense pressure and heat, and transforming it into a dazzling diamond within seconds.
Similarly, scientists produce diamonds in laboratories using High-Pressure-High-Heat technology, mimicking the natural process that occurs over millions or even billions of years underground. Both Superman and scientists accelerate this process, though they rely on different methods—Superman uses his strength and heat vision, while scientists employ advanced technology.
However, neither Superman nor scientists fully replicate the natural diamond-forming process. Both significantly shorten the time required and use materials other than pure carbon. Superman opts for coal, while scientists use graphite, which differs from the carbon-rich environment found deep within the Earth.
While coal and graphite share similarities, coal is distinct from pure carbon. Coal consists of 10% to 50% carbon, along with decomposed plant matter and elements like oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur, and nitrogen. These impurities could theoretically enhance the value of Superman’s diamonds, but they are present in minimal amounts. Natural diamonds, however, remain far more valuable due to their rarity compared to synthetic ones.
7. Evolution Occurs Solely by Random Chance
Many believe evolution is entirely a matter of chance, but this is a misconception. While randomness plays a role, it’s not the sole factor. The critical element often overlooked is natural selection, which shapes the evolutionary process alongside random mutations.
Experts from the University of California Museum of Paleontology explain that natural processes like the symbiotic relationship between flowers and pollinators, the immune system’s response to pathogens, and bats’ echolocation abilities result from both random mutations and the non-random mechanism of natural selection. Ignoring natural selection means missing half the story of evolution.
6. Highway Overpasses Are Safe Havens During Tornadoes
Being caught in open terrain as a tornado approaches is undoubtedly frightening, and many assume a highway overpass offers a safe refuge. This belief, however, is another widespread misconception. While overpasses might seem like sturdy shelters, they are far from safe during such extreme weather events.
In truth, highway overpasses and bridges are dangerous places to seek shelter during a tornado. Although these structures are robust enough to withstand the storm, they offer no protection against flying debris or the tornado’s powerful winds. Seeking refuge under an overpass can actually increase the risk of injury or worse.
The winds generated by tornadoes can actually become stronger under overpasses. Additionally, these structures often lack surfaces to grip or ledges to crouch on, making them unsafe. Tornadoes can change direction suddenly, meaning a protected side of an overpass can become exposed in seconds.
5. Bananas Grow on Trees
While money doesn’t grow on trees, bananas do—or so many believe. In reality, bananas grow on perennial herbaceous plants belonging to the genus Musa. These plants can reach heights of up to twenty-five feet, resembling trees, but they lack woody fibers, trunks, and branches, which are defining features of trees. However, one thing is true: bananas are indeed fruits, specifically classified as berries.
4. Washing Hands Eliminates All Germs on the Skin
The recent coronavirus pandemic has emphasized the importance of handwashing, but some mistakenly believe it kills all germs. While health organizations advocate for handwashing as an effective hygiene practice, it doesn’t eliminate every microbe on the skin, contrary to this widespread misconception.
A study of first-year college students, including those in microbiology and virology courses, revealed a widespread belief that handwashing and antiseptics are nearly 100% effective in preventing illness. These students were also unaware of the vast diversity of microbes and mistakenly believed that all germs can be eradicated with a single solution.
Handwashing does not eliminate all microbes, and its effectiveness depends on factors like the type of soap, washing technique, and duration. While it can destroy viruses by breaking apart their molecular structures and rupturing their membranes, it doesn’t kill all bacteria. However, proper handwashing mechanically removes germs, and running water helps wash them away.
Although handwashing doesn’t kill every microbe, it is highly effective in cleaning the skin and significantly reduces the risk of spreading infections. This is why medical and health organizations universally recommend regular handwashing as a critical hygiene practice.
3. All Fetuses Begin as Female
Many people, including some feminists, believe that all humans start as females in the womb. However, this idea has no basis in embryology. As Wesley Muhammad, PhD, explains, it’s a misconception that fetuses begin as female and later differentiate into males through the action of the SRY gene.
This misconception is understandable, as even embryologists once believed it. Muhammad notes that scientists previously considered female development the “default program.” They thought that unless the SRY gene on the Y chromosome activated, gonadal development would result in ovaries rather than testes. Female development was seen as a passive process until the discovery of genes that actively promote ovarian development and suppress testicular formation.
Today, embryologists understand that fetuses begin life as gonadally and anatomically neutral, or “bipotential,” not as female. However, the misconception persists among the general public, who often believe fetuses are naturally female unless the SRY gene triggers a change.
2. Maine is the Easternmost State in the United States
A glance at a U.S. map might suggest that Maine is the easternmost state, as it extends farther into the Atlantic Ocean than any other state on the eastern seaboard. However, appearances can be misleading.
Contrary to popular belief, Maine no longer holds the title of the easternmost state. That distinction now belongs to Alaska, which is also the westernmost state. As Bob Cannon explains, the Aleutian Islands in Alaska cross the 180th meridian, placing some islands in the easternmost longitudes globally, while others remain in the westernmost.
1. Higher SPF Means Better Protection
A common skincare myth is that sunscreen with a higher Sun Protection Factor (SPF) provides significantly greater protection against ultraviolet radiation. While SPF is important, the relationship between SPF and protection isn’t as straightforward as many assume.
Sunlight offers health benefits, such as aiding the body’s production of vitamin D and regulating circadian rhythms and mood, as noted by Dominic Wu, MD, in Harvard Medical School’s blog. However, excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can lead to short-term and long-term skin damage, including sunburn, premature aging, wrinkles, age spots, and even skin cancer. Moderation is key when it comes to sun exposure.
To combat these risks, chemical sunscreens (organic filters) and physical sunscreens (inorganic filters) provide effective protection. The SPF rating on these products indicates how long they can shield the skin from the sun’s harmful effects, though higher SPF doesn’t always mean exponentially better protection.
The belief that higher SPF equates to better protection is false. While SPF 6 shields the skin for six hours and SPF 30 for thirty hours, the difference in UVB ray protection is minimal. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, which are responsible for skin damage, and higher SPFs provide only a marginal increase in protection.
