Brian Clegg

Lightning Often Strikes Twice

The 50 Biggest Misconceptions in Science

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Details

Imprint: O'Mara Books

Publication date: 21/07/2022

ISBN: 9781789294255

Subject: Non-Fiction

Category: Science - History - Philosophy

Binding: Hardback

Size: 198 x 129 mm

Extent: 192 pages

Illustration: integrated pictures

Territorial Rights: World (All Languages)

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Summary:

A revealing and entertaining guide through some of the biggest misconceptions in science that many of us still believe.

You may well be familiar with the fact that lightning, contrary to the popular saying, often strikes the same place twice. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what many of us wrongly believe about the way the world works. Whether it’s word of mouth, myths you’ve read about online, or misremembered facts from school, we’re bombarded by misconceptions about the science we come into contact with every day – this book will uncover the most popular myths to help you avoid contributing to the perpetuation of these misunderstandings.

Breaking it down into fifty of the most popular misconceptions in science, each chapter of this book will be headed up with a ‘fact’, followed by the real story, providing the science and theory that debunks the myth. From fears about the exponential growth of the human population to the embarrassment of always pointing out the north star as the brightest in the sky, this is the book to read if you want to separate the science fact from fiction.

Sales points:

  • A fun and informative look at popular misconceptions, including the beliefs that antioxidants are good and free radicals are bad, nothing can travel faster than light, water goes down the plughole in different directions either side of the equator, the primary colours are red, yellow and blue, and a bumblebee’s ability to fly defies physics.

  • Accessible and engaging science, these myths provide an intriguing gateway into some essential science that we all should know.

  • Brian Clegg is a prolific and acclaimed science writer, and the author of Pocket Einstein Time Travel.

  • Comp titles: What a Wonderful World, Marcus Chown (Faber 2013) Paradox: The Nine Greatest Enigmas in Physics, Jim Al-Khalili (Bantam 2012)

About the Author:

Brian Clegg

Brian Clegg studied physics at the University of Cambridge and is now an award-winning and bestselling science writer and public speaker who has written over forty popular science books and a growing range of novels. He has also written for a wide range of publications such as Nature, BBC History, The Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Observer, and is the editor of www.popularscience.co.uk. Brian lives in a Wiltshire village with his wife and twin children.

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