The Biggest Misconceptions We Learn at School

Published by CHAN LEE PENG
July 8, 2010, Category: Biology

Something has gone wrong. We have learnt many misconceptions at school as well as the school text books. And these misconceptions have further sharpened our negative perceptions and comprehension of what we have learned so far.

Natural Selection was First Discovered by Darwin

Most textbooks say Darwin was the first person who advocated for the theory of evolution by natural selection. However, this is untrue, as people before Darwin had discovered the theory of natural selection.

The Flow of Electrons is an Electric Current

Image source

This statement is incorrect. The flow of electrons is simply an electric charge. Specifically, the flow of an electric current can either be a flow of electrons or protons. For example, in solid ice, an electric current here is merely a flow of protons. Other examples include battery acid, fluorescent bulbs, and salt water which shows atom with more protons flowing along and that flow is a true electric current.

The Sun Does Not Rotate

Image source

This opinion is rather silly as the sun itself like our clockwork universe rotates around its visible axis. Galileo was the person who discovered the rotation of the sun by observing sunspots moving across the face of the sun. To make a full rotation, the sun takes an average of 27 days, and the rate of its rotation is about 32 days approaching to the Sun’s poles and about 25 days at the equator.

Space is a Complete Vacuum

Image source

Wrong. The space is not a complete vacuum as 99% of the universe is formed up with plasma, in which there is a gas normally found in fluorescent lights, lightning, and candle flames but it rarely exists on Earth. The plasma is simply those electrons separated from their ions (or atoms) and since it gets extending in the space, it’s regarded by the earthly standards as a vacuum.

Thomas Alva Edison was an Inventor of the Light Bulb

Image source

Edison did not just invent the light bulb but he actually invented a lot of things which bring convenience and comfort to the life of the mankind.

Lightning does not Strike Twice at the Same Place

Image source

This is a false statement. Lightning is more likely to strike repeatedly at the location of the highest points within a given area.

We Can Transfer the Electrons to Create “Static” Charge

Image source

This statement is not always true. The “static” charge can be created when the negative or positive ions are being removed. The creation of “static” charge can also be done by either removing or adding the charged atoms from an object.

Sunspots are Cool and Dark

Image source

As for being “cool” sunspots are actually hotter as compared to most of the solids found on Earth. They are only about 3,500 degrees Celsius cooler than the visible surface of the Sun called photosphere which has a temperature of 5,500 degree Celsius. Sunspots are not actually “dark” because they can be as bright as a full moon. In this matter, shall we consider sunspots as cool and dark?

Plants Respire During the Night, and During the Day, Photosynthesis Occurs

Image source

Plants must respire every second to sustain their lives or else they will die. Therefore, that’s not true to say that plants respire at night. As for photosynthesis, it involves light reactions and the light is required for the plants to perform photosynthesis along with other factors. Therefore, when light is present during the day, photosynthesis occurs, so the statement is correct.

Humans Evolved from Apes

Image source

The idea of evolution which explains human origins has always been a topic of much controversy. People have been arguing much on humans (homo sapiens) evolving from apes, but are still questioning why there are so many modern apes that haven’t transformed into humans. The phrase “humans evolved from apes” is actually explained by Darwin, but sadly, his statement has ever been misreported. He actually insisted that humans had a common ancestor as like apes (gorillas, chimpanzees, monkeys).

Milk is a Healthy Drink