It is true that science is continually developing. There are new things being learned every single day, and new places being discovered. It almost seems sometimes that it is impossible to keep up with, and that may very well be true. Over the course of history, there have been many scientific theories that were labeled as “facts” and then ended up being proven wrong. This just goes to show that this ever-changing world will always have new things to show humankind. This list is a compilation of 5 scientific “facts” that weren’t actually true.
5. Sunflowers Follow The Sun
5. Sunflowers Follow The Sun
It isn’t true that sunflowers follow the sun across the sky. They actually point East all day. The reason for this is that the plant buds follow the sun to make sure the flowers are set in the right direction.
4. The Blood In Your Veins Is Blue Until Oxygenated
4. The Blood In Your Veins Is Blue Until Oxygenated
There is a common misconception that everyone’s blood is blue until it hits oxygen, which is when it turns red. This belief is common because when one looks at their veins, generally they see them as blue. However, this is not true. Human blood is a darker red color inside the human body, and the blue color that we see in our veins actually comes from light hitting our skin and scattering into the wavelength on the color spectrum we notice as blue.
3. Dropping A Penny From The Empire State Building Could Kill Someone
3. Dropping A Penny From The Empire State Building Could Kill Someone
It has often been said that if you were to drop a penny from the top of the Empire State Building, it could kill someone walking by down below. However, that’s not exactly true. Terminal velocity, which is the fastest speed that an object can reach during free fall, is only 50 miles per hour for a penny. This is not enough to kill someone; but it could leave a nice bump on their head.
2. The Tongue Has Taste Zones
2. The Tongue Has Taste Zones
Over and over, people have been taught that the tongue has four specific “taste zones” including bitter, sour, salty, and sweet. This has been disproved – not only do all areas of the tongue taste all flavors, there is actually a fifth taste. It’s called umami, for savory/meaty flavors.
1. Drink 8 Glasses Of Water A Day
1. Drink 8 Glasses Of Water A Day
It’s true that the human body needs a certain amount of water, but each human body is different. Drinking eight glasses of water a day is an overly generalized rule, and the amount of water needed by any given person can change based on environment, activity level, size, and more.
