Mis
understood Trivia in Schools
As students, we are often taught facts and figures that we believe to be true, but many times these “facts” are actually misunderstandings or misconceptions. Here are a few examples of common misunderstandings in schools.
1. Blood is blue inside our bodies
Many of us were taught that blood is blue inside our bodies and that it only turns red when it comes into contact with oxygen outside the body. However, this is not true. Blood is always red, but it can appear blue or purple through our skin because of the way light interacts with it. Veins may appear blue because they are located deeper in the skin and the blue light is absorbed more easily than red light. So the next time someone tells you that blood is blue, you can correct them!
2. Bats are blind
This is a common misconception, but it’s not true. Bats are not blind – in fact, they have excellent eyesight. However, they use echolocation to navigate in the dark and find prey. This means that they emit high-frequency sounds and listen to the echoes that bounce back to them, much like a sonar system. Their echolocation is so precise that they can detect objects as small as a human hair.
3. Glass is a slow-moving liquid
Many people believe that glass is a slow-moving liquid, but this is a myth. Glass is actually an amorphous solid, which means that it has a fixed shape but lacks a regular arrangement of atoms and molecules. The myth of glass being a liquid likely stems from old windows that appear thicker at the bottom, giving the impression that the glass has “flowed” over time. However, this is due to the way the windows were made, not from the glass actually moving.
4. Goldfish have a three-second memory
This is a myth that is often used to describe humans who forget things quickly, but it’s not true for goldfish. In fact, goldfish have been shown to have memories that last several months. They can remember where food is located in their tank and can even recognize their owners! So if you have a goldfish, don’t underestimate its brainpower.
5. The Great Wall of China is visible from space
Many of us were taught that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made structure visible from space, but this is not true. While it is visible from low Earth orbit, it is not visible from the moon, contrary to popular belief. In fact, there are other man-made structures that are visible from space, such as highways and large cities.
These are just a few examples of common misunderstandings in schools. It’s important to question what we are taught and do our own research to ensure that we have accurate knowledge. After all, the pursuit of knowledge and truth is what education is all about.
