Facts You Didn't Know
From Tomatoes to Llamas: Things You Never Knew
Discover amazing facts about animals, science, and everyday things you never knew could be so interesting
- Debbie Reichman
- פורסם כ"ז סיון התשפ"א
(Photo: shutterstock) #VALUE!
Did you know cherry tomatoes weren’t invented in Israel?
Even though many people think they were, cherry tomatoes have been around since the 1600s in Central America. In the early 1900s, they became popular in the United States and were named after cherries because of their small, round shape. In Israel, scientists at the Hebrew University developed a special kind of cherry tomato called Tomaccio. It grows well in Israel’s climate and gives more tomatoes than regular kinds.
Did you know there’s a fourth state of matter?
We usually learn about solid, liquid, and gas. But there’s another one called plasma. Plasma is a super-energized form of matter made of tiny particles with electric charges. It acts differently from the other states because it reacts to magnetic and electric fields. The change from plasma back to gas is called recombination.
Did you know which animal caused the most deaths in history?
It’s the rat. Rats are believed to have helped spread the Black Death in Europe in the 1300s, a terrible disease that killed more than 50 million people.
Did you know llamas spit?
Llamas, which are related to camels, are known for their strong spitting. They spit mostly when they feel scared or upset. It’s their way of defending themselves.
• Did you know why old-style lightbulbs are disappearing?
Incandescent lightbulbs were used for a long time, but they waste a lot of energy. As better options came along like fluorescent and then LED bulbs, these older bulbs were slowly phased out to save energy.
• Did you know how big your lungs really are?
Our lungs take in oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. Even though they fit in your chest, if you spread them out flat, they’d be the size of a tennis court! They hold about 6 liters of air, and every day we breathe in around a million liters.
• Did you know which bird has the biggest wings?
It’s the wandering albatross. This amazing seabird, which lives near the South Pole, has wings that can stretch more than 3 meters wide, longer than most people are tall!
