Science facts: The wacky, the wild, and the weird
Even if you weren’t someone who got excited about science class in school, now—as an adult—it’s hard not to be amazed by science facts. Seriously, just stop for a minute and think about what both the natural world and technology are capable of. It’s truly impressive, and chances are you only know a small fraction of the interesting facts and completely weird facts that scientists have uncovered so far.
After all, scientists are learning new things all the time. Something we don’t know today could be discovered tomorrow, so we can always expand our knowledge—and our reserve of random trivia to impress our friends. Just beware of the science “facts” that are actually false, unlike the 25 on this list. And remember, a little humor is just as important as a little knowledge, which is why you’ll also want to check out these hilarious science jokes, chemistry jokes, and biology jokes that are so funny, they cell themselves. (Sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves.)
The human stomach can dissolve razor blades
If you ever swallow a razor blade, don’t panic. The human body is more capable than you think. Acids are ranked on a scale from 0 to 14—the lower the pH level, the stronger the acid. Human stomach acid is typically 1.0 to 2.0, meaning that it has an incredibly strong pH. In a study published in the journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, scientists found that the “thickened back of a single-edged blade” dissolved after two hours of immersion in stomach acid. That’s just one of many fun facts about the human body you never learned in school.
A laser can get trapped in water
A cool thing called “total internal reflection” happens when you point a laser beam at a jet of flowing water. To demonstrate this phenomenon, PBS Learning Media released a video in which a laser is positioned on one side of a clear tank of water. When the light travels through the water, it is slowed by the heavier particles in the water, effectively “trapping” the laser beam in the water. Even as the water flow is gradually decreased, the laser beam remains contained inside the jet, until it eventually disappears when the water is turned off completely. Speaking of lasers, did you know that your iPhone can be hacked with a laser pointer? You do now!
Earth’s oxygen is produced by the ocean
Have you ever stopped to think where oxygen comes from? Your first thought may be a rainforest, but here’s a cool science fact for you: We can thank plant-based marine organisms for all that fresh air, according to the National Oceanic Service. Plankton, seaweed, and other photosynthesizers produce more than half of the world’s oxygen. While we may know the answer to this question, scientists still can’t explain these other ocean mysteries.
Animals use Earth’s magnetic field for orientation
Lost land animals may not be able to find their way home, but sea animals might. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), “there is evidence that some animals, like sea turtles and salmon, have the ability to sense the Earth’s magnetic field and can use this sense for navigation.” Though that may sound like science fiction, it’s actually science fact—unlike these animal “facts” that are actually false.
It can rain diamonds on other planets
The atmospheres in Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn have such extreme pressure that they can crystallize carbon atoms and turn them into diamonds, American Scientist reports. How do we know this science fact? Researchers were able to create the correct conditions in a lab to prove this occurs on Neptune and Uranus. Separately, other researchers speculate that it may rain as much as 2.2 million pounds of diamonds on parts of Saturn every year.
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