Misconceptions in Primary Science
By Allen, Michael
“Earth and space”
Publisher: Open University Press
Pp. 177-207
2010
Type: Anecdotal
Data collection method: Unknown
Number of subjects, range: Unknown
Grade and age of subjects: PreK-2nd — under 7-8 years of age, 3rd-5th grade — under 10-11 years
- The Earth is flat.
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The Earth lies at the center of the solar system, with the sun and the planets orbiting
around it.
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The sun moves around the Earth; this is why day and night occur.
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The sun simply rises upwards in the morning then sets downwards at night.
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The Earth, sun and moon are of a similar size.
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The moon orbits around the Earth.
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The Earth’s shadow is responsible for the different phases of the moon.
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The moon only appears at night.
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It is hotter in summer because the Earth is closer to the sun.
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We have longer days in summer because the sun moves more slowly across the sky.
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There is a total solar eclipse every 28 days.
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Pluto is a planet.