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Red laser beams on black backgroundFLAVIO COELHO/GETTY IMAGES

A laser can get trapped in water
A cool thing called “total internal reflection” happens when you point a laser beam
at a jet of flowing water. To demonstrate this phenomenon, PBS Learning Media
released a video in which a laser is positioned on one side of a clear tank of
water. When the light travels through the water, it is slowed by the heavier
particles in the water, effectively “trapping” the laser beam in the water. Even as
the water flow is gradually decreased, the laser beam remains contained inside the
jet, until it eventually disappears when the water is turned off completely.
Speaking of lasers, did you know that your iPhone can be hacked with a laser
pointer? You do now!

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Blue Sky over the Blue OceanYUGA KURITA/GETTY IMAGES
Earth’s oxygen is produced by the ocean
Have you ever stopped to think where oxygen comes from? Your first thought may be a
rainforest, but here’s a cool science fact for you: We can thank plant-based marine
organisms for all that fresh air, according to the National Oceanic Service.
Plankton, seaweed, and other photosynthesizers produce more than half of the
world’s oxygen. While we may know the answer to this question, scientists still
can’t explain these other ocean mysteries.

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sea turtle swimming in the oceanM SWIET PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES
Animals use Earth’s magnetic field for orientation
Lost land animals may not be able to find their way home, but sea animals might.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), “there is evidence that some
animals, like sea turtles and salmon, have the ability to sense the Earth’s
magnetic field and can use this sense for navigation.” Though that may sound like
science fiction, it’s actually science fact—unlike these animal “facts” that are
actually false.