Science February 7, 2023

10 Common Scientific Myths - Debunked

Are you still believing in the scientific myths that are outdated, inaccurate and lack evidence? In this article, we're going to debunk these myths and uncover the truth. Get ready to be amazed by real-life scientific facts that will make you go "wow"! Get ready to explore the fascinating world of science with me!

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Introduction

There are many myths and misconceptions about science that are commonly believed, but are not actually supported by evidence. Here are 12 myths about science that have been debunked by researchers:

1. Myth: The Earth is flat.

Source: Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash
Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Fact: The Earth is actually an oblate spheroid, meaning it is slightly flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator. This has been known for centuries and can be confirmed by satellite imagery and measurements taken from the surface.

2. Myth: The universe was created in a single moment.

Source: dornsife.usc.edu
dornsife.usc.edu

Fact: The universe has a finite age and has been expanding and evolving over time. The Big Bang theory, which is supported by a wealth of scientific evidence, proposes that the universe began as a singularity about 13.8 billion years ago and has been expanding ever since.

3. Myth: Vaccines can cause autism.

Source: Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Fact: There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that vaccines cause autism. This myth originated from a 1998 study that has since been thoroughly debunked and retracted by the scientific community.

4. Myth: The brain uses only 10% of its capacity.

Source: Photo by Adrien Converse on Unsplash
Photo by Adrien Converse on Unsplash

Fact: This myth has no basis in scientific fact. While it is true that the brain has the capacity to adapt and reorganize itself, there is no evidence to suggest that we only use a small portion of our brain’s capacity.

5. Myth: The moon landing was faked.

Source: Photo by NASA on Unsplash
Photo by NASA on Unsplash

Fact: There is no evidence to support the claim that the moon landing was faked. The moon landing was extensively documented and has been confirmed by multiple sources, including astronauts, engineers, and scientists.

6. Myth: All viruses are harmful.

Source: Photo by CDC on Unsplash
Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Fact: Not all viruses are harmful to humans. Some viruses, such as the common cold, can cause minor illnesses, while others, such as HIV, can be more serious. However, viruses also play important roles in nature, such as helping to regulate populations of other organisms.

7. Myth: GMOs are dangerous.

Source: www.peta.org
www.peta.org

Fact: Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been extensively tested and are considered safe for human consumption by regulatory agencies around the world. GMOs can be used to improve crop yields, reduce the use of pesticides, and increase the nutritional content of foods.

8. Myth: Carbon dioxide is not a greenhouse gas.

Source: Photo by Matthias Heyde on Unsplash
Photo by Matthias Heyde on Unsplash

Fact: Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, meaning it absorbs and traps heat in the atmosphere. The increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to human activity are a major contributor to global warming and climate change.

9. Myth: The Earth is getting colder.

Source: Photo by Javier Miranda on Unsplash
Photo by Javier Miranda on Unsplash

Fact: The Earth’s climate is changing, and over the past century, the average global temperature has risen by about 1 degree Celsius. This trend is expected to continue as the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increase.

10. Myth: Evolution is just a theory.

Source: commons.wikimedia.org
commons.wikimedia.org

Fact: Evolution is not just a theory, it is a well-established scientific fact. The theory of evolution by natural selection explains how populations of organisms change over time in response to their environment.

Ending Note

Please note that this article is yet to be reviewed and cited. For now, take the information above with a grain of salt.