The statement is false! Water boils at 100°C only at sea level (1 atmosphere of pressure). At higher altitudes, the air pressure is lower, so water boils at a lower temperature. For example, on Mount Everest (29,029 ft / 8,848 m), water boils at about 71°C (160°F). This means cooking takes longer because the water is not as hot. In a pressure cooker, the pressure is increased, raising the boiling point and speeding up cooking. The boiling point can also be increased by adding salt (the boiling point elevation is a colligative property). So water does not always boil at 100°C. This is a common misconception. Understanding the relationship between pressure and boiling point is important in chemistry and cooking. The formula for boiling point elevation is ΔT = Kb × m. But for everyday purposes, remember: higher altitude = lower boiling point. So the statement is false.

The statement is false! Humans have at least 9-20 senses, depending on definition. The traditional five senses (Aristotle) are an oversimplification. Modern science recognizes: vision, hearing, touch (which includes pressure, vibration, stretch, temperature, pain), taste, smell, balance (vestibular sense), proprioception (knowing where your limbs are without looking), thermoception (temperature), nociception (pain), interoception (hunger, thirst, need to urinate, heartbeat, etc.), and others. Some scientists also include chronoception (sense of time). The number depends on how you count. So the idea that we have only five senses is a myth. We have many more. This is a classic example of how common knowledge can be wrong. Now you know the truth!

The statement is false! Lightning often strikes the same place many times. The Empire State Building is struck about 25 times per year. The Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) is struck about 100 times per year. Lightning rods are designed to be struck repeatedly. The saying "lightning never strikes the same place twice" is a common proverb, but it is not scientifically accurate. The correct saying would be "lightning tends to strike the same place repeatedly." The myth persists because it's a popular saying. Now you know the truth!

The statement is false! Chameleons change color for social signaling (attracting mates, warning rivals) and temperature regulation (dark colors absorb heat, light colors reflect heat). While some chameleons can adjust their color to blend in, that is not the primary purpose. The idea that chameleons change color to match their background is a common misconception. Many animals (octopus, cuttlefish) use camouflage, but chameleons are not the masters of camouflage that people think. Their color change is slower and less precise than that of cephalopods. The myth is popularized by cartoons and movies. Now you know the truth!

The statement is true! Venus rotates very slowly, taking about 243 Earth days to complete one rotation. It orbits the Sun in about 225 Earth days. Therefore, a day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus. Venus also rotates in the opposite direction (retrograde rotation) compared to most planets. This means the Sun rises in the west and sets in the east on Venus. This is one of the most surprising facts in astronomy. It's a great example of how our solar system is full of wonders. So the statement is true!

The statement is false! The Great Wall is not visible from low Earth orbit (where the International Space Station orbits) with the naked eye. Astronauts have confirmed this. The wall is too narrow and blends with the surrounding landscape. The myth originated in the 1930s and was debunked by astronauts. The first Chinese astronaut, Yang Liwei (2003), said he could not see the wall. Cities at night (lights) and large rivers (like the Amazon) are visible, but not the wall. So the statement is false.

The statement is true! Humans share about 50-60% of their DNA with bananas. This does not mean that we are half banana. It means that the genes involved in basic cellular processes (like energy production, cell division, and DNA replication) are similar. The percentage of shared DNA decreases as you get farther from humans: chimpanzees (98-99%), mice (85%), chickens (60%), fruit flies (60%), bananas (50-60%), bacteria (about 25%). These similarities are evidence of common ancestry. The 50% figure is approximate and varies depending on how you calculate it. So the statement is true. It's a fun fact that illustrates our connection to all life on Earth!

The statement is false! Ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. This myth is a common misconception. Ostriches are the largest birds and can run up to 43 mph (70 km/h). They defend themselves with powerful kicks. The myth may come from the fact that ostriches sometimes lie flat on the ground with their necks extended to hide from predators, which from a distance might look like their heads are buried. They also sometimes poke their heads into holes to turn eggs. But they do not bury their heads in the sand. The phrase "bury your head in the sand" is a metaphor for ignoring problems, but it is not based on ostrich behavior. So the statement is false.

The statement is false! Goldfish have memories that last weeks to months. Studies have shown that goldfish can learn to press a lever for food, navigate mazes, and associate a sound with feeding. They can also recognize their owners (distinguishing them from strangers). The myth probably started because goldfish were seen as simple pets. But they are more intelligent than people think. A 2003 study at the University of Plymouth trained goldfish to press a lever for food; they remembered the task for months. Goldfish also have a sense of time and will wait for feeding. The three-second memory myth is false. Goldfish can even be conditioned to avoid certain areas (classical conditioning). So the statement is false.

The statement is false! The largest desert on Earth is Antarctica (the Antarctic Desert). Deserts are defined by low precipitation (less than 250 mm / 10 inches per year). Antarctica receives very little snow (most of it is technically a desert). The Sahara is the largest hot desert, but the Arctic Desert (the Arctic) is also larger than the Sahara? Actually, the Arctic is also a desert (cold desert), but Antarctica is larger. The ranking: Antarctic Desert (5.5 million sq mi), Arctic Desert (5.4 million sq mi), Sahara (3.6 million sq mi). So the Sahara is not the largest desert overall; it is the largest hot desert. Many people forget that there are cold deserts. This is a common misconception. Now you know the truth! The statement is false.