True Science Facts You Didn't Know...Until Now

01

When Scientists Didn’t Exist

 Isaac Newton was a scientist before scientists even existed. Imagno/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Before the 17th century, science and scientists were not truly recognized. At first, people like the 17th century genius Isaac Newton were called natural philosophers, because there was no concept of the word "scientist" at the time.

02

The Missing J

 Nope. You won't find any of these on the Periodic Table. bgblue/Digital Vision Vectors/Getty Ima

The only letter that doesn't appear on the periodic table is J. Don't believe us? Check itout for yourself. 

03

Expanding Cubes

An ice cube takes up about 9 percent more volume than the water used to make it.  

04

The Temperature of Lightning

A lightning strike can reach a temperature of 30,000 C or 54,000 F. About 400 people are hit by lightning each year. Shocking!

05

Rusty Mars

On Mars, iron oxide forms a rust dust that floats in the atmosphere and creates a coating across much of the landscape. 

06

When Hot Water Freezes Over

Hot water can freeze faster than cold water. However, it does not always happen, nor has science explained exactly why it can happen. .

07

Insects Sleep

Insects clearly rest at times and are aroused only by strong stimuli—the heat of day, the darkness of night, or perhaps a sudden attack by a predator. This state of deep rest is called torpor and is the closest behavior to true sleep that bugs exhibit.

08

Everyone's Your Relative

Every human being has 99 percent of their DNA in common. A parent and child share 99.5 percent of the same DNA, and you have 98 percent of your DNA in common with a chimpanzee.

09

What a Wingspan

The Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing is the world’s largest butterfly, with a wingspan of up to 12 inches. It is found only in Papua New Guinea and is considered endangered.

10

Einstein's Stolen Brain

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After Albert Einstein's death in 1955, pathologist Thomas Harvey at Princeton Hospital conducted an autopsy in which he removed Albert Einstein's brain. Rather than putting the brain back in the body, Harvey decided to keep it for study. Harvey did not have permission to keep Einstein's brain, but days later, he convinced Einstein's son that it would help science.