Philips (1991)

This book section contains a list of common science misconceptions.  The list was compiled by the author, a high school teacher, in the USA.

Findings about learners’ ideas

  • The Earth is flat
  • The Earth is sitting on something
  • The Earth is larger than the Sun
  • The Sun disappears at night
  • There is up and down in space
  • The seasons are caused by distance from the Sun
  • The phases of the Moon are caused by shadows from Earth
  • The Moon goes around the Earth in a single day
  • The Moon makes its own light
  • The Sun goes around the Moon
  • The Sun is not a star
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