|
Some 'facts' just get lodged in our collective brains, even if they aren't actually true. They have just pervaded our knowledge base since we heard them, and it's indeed very hard to let go of facts we think we've known all our lives. But as always, it's better to know what true and what isn't, so here are some common myths that are definitely worth debunking. |
|
Most body heat is lost through the head. |
 |
| In reality, the head is just usually not covered. If you were naked, heat would leave your body equally from all areas. |
|
|
| The only man made structure that can be seen from space is the Great Wall of China. |
 |
| Actually, it's hard to see the wall even when flying in low orbit, and you can see other things more easily, such as big metropolitan cities at night. This myth has been debunked many times, but is still a popular belief. |
|
|
| Glass is actually liquid moving very slowly. |
 |
| Nope. Glass may seem like that, but glass doesn't move, it is an amorphous solid. |
|
|
| Different parts of the tongue detect different tastes. |
 |
| Actually, the tongue can dedect any taste from each part of it. |
|
|
| Until Columbus's sailing, people thought the earth was flat. |
 |
| Not really. In fact, scholars believe that people have known since Greek times that the earth was a ball. |
|
|
| Chameleons change colors to match their surroundings and hide. |
 |
| While it's true that chameleons change color, they usually do it in response to temperature, light intensity, and mood. |
|
|
| We have five sense |
 |
| The actual number of sense we humans have may change according to the scientist you are speak with. One thing is for sure, we do have more than five. One of those is a sense of balance, for instance. Another is being able to sense where our body parts are in space. Some experts would go so far as giving us 20 senses. |
|
|
| If you touch a mother bird's hatchlings, she will abandon them. |
 |
| Baby birds do not get abandoned because you put your smell on them, it takes more than that. |
|
|
| From base to top, mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world. |
 |
| Well, that is true if you measure from sea level and up. But if you measure from base to summit, then the tallest mountain in the world is the Mauna Kea mountain in Hawaii, which is 10km (33,100 feet) high, only most of that is under water. |
|
|
| You're never far from a rat in London. |
 |
| According to scientists studying this issue, there are about 3 million rats in London, that puts a rat at 150 feet from you - not that bad? |
|
|
| If you crack your knuckles a lot, you will get arthritis. |
 |
| Studies have debunked this myth, but long term studies do suggest that cracking knuckles over a long time may reduce the power of your grip. |
|
|
| A duck's quack won't echo. |
 |
| Simply - not true. Take a duck to the nearest tunnel if you wish to test it. |
|
|
| Nails and hair continue to grow after you die. |
 |
| No they don't. What happens is the skin recedes making the hair and nails look longer. |
|
|
| If you throw a cent off a tall building you can kill someone. |
 |
| Fortunately, due to the light weight and wind resistance, you will not. You may cause them a bit of pain though, so they are unlikely to thank you for the coin. |
|
|
| Coffee is made of beans |
 |
| Technically, those 'beans' are actually seeds. |
|
|
| Ostriches stick their heads in the ground when threatened |
 |
| Ostriches never stick their heads in the ground at all. When they feel threatened they flop over and play dead. |
|
|
| Dogs can’t see color |
 |
| While common knowledge says they can only see gray, scientists recently proved that they can actually see shades of blue, yellow, and green as well. |
|
|
