12 “Facts” You Learned in School That Are Totally Wrong
School might’ve filled your head with “facts,” but many of them are totally false.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Some lessons we learned in school were based on outdated science, misunderstandings, or oversimplified versions of the truth. These mistakes were often passed down over time without being questioned. Here are 12 school-taught “facts” that do not hold up under closer examination.
1. Humans only use 10% of their brains
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This claim is false. Brain imaging scans show that almost every part of the brain has some function and is active at different times. While not all areas fire at once, each part plays a role depending on the task. The brain is highly efficient and constantly working, even when at rest.
2. There are only 3 states of matter
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Most school curricula focus on solid, liquid, and gas, but there are more. Plasma is a fourth state found in stars and lightning, common in the universe. Scientists have also discovered others, like Bose-Einstein and fermionic condensates, under extreme conditions. These are less common but scientifically proven.
3. You swallow 8 spiders a year in your sleep
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No scientific data supports this claim. Spiders generally avoid humans and are unlikely to crawl into someone’s mouth. The idea started as a hoax to show how easily people accept false information, but it is now widely considered a myth.
4. Napoleon was short
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Napoleon Bonaparte was around 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 7 inches tall, which was average height for a French man at the time. Confusion came from differences between the French and British measurement systems. British propaganda may have exaggerated his height for political reasons. He was not unusually short for his era.
5. The Great Wall of China is visible from space
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The Great Wall is not visible from space with the naked eye. Astronauts have confirmed that it is difficult to see due to its narrow width and the fact that it blends into the terrain. It may be visible in specific conditions using cameras or zoom lenses, but not without aid. Many human-made structures are more visible from space than the Wall.
6. Bats are blind
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Bats are not blind. Most bats have functioning eyes and can see, especially at night. Some species even see in low light better than humans. In addition to vision, they use echolocation to navigate and find food in the dark.
7. Columbus proved the Earth was round
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By the time of Columbus, educated Europeans already understood that the Earth was a sphere. The debate during his time was about the size of the Earth and the distance between Europe and Asia, not its shape. Ancient Greek philosophers had already calculated the Earth’s circumference with reasonable accuracy. Columbus’s voyage did not prove the Earth was round.
8. Einstein failed math
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Albert Einstein did not fail math. He excelled in mathematics from a young age and had mastered calculus by his early teens. The myth likely started from a misinterpretation of the grading systems or statements taken out of context. His academic records show strong performance in math and science.
9. Chameleons change color to match their surroundings
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Chameleons change color for communication, temperature regulation, and mood, not primarily for camouflage. While some color changes may help with blending in, this is not their main purpose. The changes are driven by the expansion and contraction of special pigment cells called chromatophores. The idea that they always mimic their surroundings is incorrect.
10. Vikings wore horned helmets
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There is no historical evidence that Vikings wore horned helmets. Archaeological findings show that their helmets were typically conical, made of metal or leather, and without horns. The horned helmet image became popular in the 19th century through operas and costume design. It is a modern invention, not a historical fact.
11. Gum stays in your stomach for 7 years
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Swallowed gum does not stay in the body for years. While it is true that the body cannot digest gum, it passes through the digestive system and exits like other non-digestible materials. Doctors confirm that occasional swallowing of gum is not harmful. It is processed within a few days.
12. Lightning never strikes the same place twice
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Lightning often strikes the same location more than once, especially tall or isolated structures. For example, the Empire State Building in New York is struck by lightning about 20 to 25 times a year. Lightning follows conductive paths and returns to the same places under the right conditions. The idea that it never returns is incorrect.