50 Science Misconceptions - mental_floss on YouTube (Ep.18)

TL;DR

Science misconceptions debunked in 50 points.

Transcript

hello I'm Hank green in the 16th century British Cardinal Thomas Wolsey said be very very careful what you put into that head because you'll never ever get it out well today we're going to try prepare to empty your brain of these 50 common misconceptions myths rumors and old wives tales about science let's start with dinosaurs did you know that the... Read More

Key Insights

• 😃 Bats are not blind; they use echolocation and have eyes.
• 👨‍🎨 Humans have more senses than the commonly known five, including balance and pain.
• 💯 The core of the Earth is a solid ball of nickel and iron, not molten.
• 💙 The misconception of blood in veins being blue is debunked once oxygenated.
• 🥳 The equinox is an astronomical alignment, not an equal day-night length event.
• 🔭 Galileo did not invent the telescope but significantly improved it.
• ❓ Survival of the fittest phrase was borrowed by Darwin from Herbert Spencer.

Questions & Answers

Q: Are pterodactyls considered flying dinosaurs?

No, pterodactyls and pterosaurs were not dinosaurs but a subgroup, birds evolved from dinosaurs.

Q: How many planets are there in the solar system, including Pluto?

There are eight planets; Pluto was demoted in 2006, commonly known planets don't twinkle.

Q: Who was the first woman in space?

Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, not Sally Ride, was the first woman in space in 1963.

Q: Do hens need roosters to lay eggs?

No, hens can lay unfertilized eggs naturally without the help of a rooster.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Dinosaurs like the brontosaurus never existed due to a paleontological mix-up.

• The North Star, Polaris, is not the brightest star in the sky.

• Gravity is not a downward force, and glass is an amorphous solid.