Even if you didn't enjoy science classes at school, it's difficult not to be fascinated by scientific findings as an adult. Honestly, take a moment to take in the scope of our natural environment, civilization, and technology and then think of just how much science has contributed to the evolution of our planet.
Ousa Chea/Unsplash | Science is full of interesting and mind-boggling facts that are both engaging and intriguing
Science is full of interesting and mind-boggling facts that are both engaging and intriguing. And in this post, we are five hand-picked scientific facts that are both captivating and fascinating.
Razor Blades can Dissolve in the human stomach
Don't freak out if you swallow a razor blade! The human body is far more competent and resilient than most of us can imagine.
Acids are graded on a range of 0 to 14 on a pH scale and the lower the pH, the stronger the acid. Now consider this—the human stomach’s natural pH ranges from 1.0 to 2.0, indicating that it is quite acidic. In a study published in a journal from “Gastrointestinal Endoscopy,” scientists reported that a blade can completely dissolve in the human stomach after just two hours of immersion in stomach acid.
A Laser can Become Tangled in Water
When you focus a laser beam onto a jet of running water, a fascinating phenomenon known as "Total Internal Reflection" occurs. The larger particles of water delay the light as it passes through, thereby "trapping" the laser beam in the water. Even when the water flow is steadily reduced, the laser beam stays confined within the jet, finally disappearing when the water is turned off entirely.
Artem Bryzgalov/Unsplash | When you focus a laser beam onto a jet of running water, a fascinating phenomenon known as "Total Internal Reflection" occurs
The Oceans Create the Majority of the Oxygen on Earth
Have you ever considered where oxygen originates from? Your first guess might be a rainforest, but according to the National Oceanic Service, we should thank plant-based marine life for all that fresh air we get to cherish every single second of every single day. More than half of the world's oxygen is produced by plankton, seaweed, and other photosynthesizers present in water.
Animals Orient Themselves Using the Earth's Magnetic Field
Stray land animals may not be able to return to a place they can call home but lost marine animals certainly can. There is evidence that certain creatures, such as sea turtles and salmon, possess the capacity to detect the Earth's magnetic field and can utilize this orient themselves for navigation purposes.
A Cloud May Weigh up to One Million Pounds
According to the USGS, a typical cumulus cloud may weigh up to one million pounds. That's roughly the weight of the world's biggest airplane when fully loaded with goods and passengers. This is due to the presence of numerous tiny water droplets and air particles and despite all of that weight, a cloud’s ability to float in the sky without a jet engine propelling it is truly mind-boggling.
C Dustin/Unsplash | According to the USGS, the typical cumulus cloud may weigh up to one million pounds
Wasn’t that Enlightening?
Scientists are always making new, fascinating discoveries, This is why it’s important to always have an open mind, remain curious, and strive for knowledge. In the words of astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, “Keep Looking Up!.”