Definition:
A “fact” is a statement or piece of information that can be verified as accurate and corresponds to how things actually are. Facts are objective and independent of beliefs, opinions, or interpretations.
Etymology:
The word “fact” comes from the Latin term “factum,” meaning “a thing done or performed,” stemming from the verb “facere,” “to do” or “to make.” The term evolved through Old French into Middle English, initially referring to an action or deed. Over time, its meaning shifted to denote something known or proved to be accurate.
Description:
Classifying something as a fact involves meeting certain criteria to ensure that it is objective, reliable, and verifiable. The information must be observable and measurable, and anyone should be able to independently confirm it using reliable methods or tools. The fact should yield the same result under the same conditions when tested multiple times. There must be concrete, observable evidence or data supporting the claim. Facts rely on empirical data derived from experiments, observation, or measurement.
Examples of Facts:
- Water boils at 100°C (212°F) at sea level: You can verify this by boiling water and measuring its temperature.
- Ice floats in water: Place an ice cube in a glass of water and observe that it floats.
- Salt dissolves in water: Stir some table salt into a glass of water and see it dissolve.
- The sun rises in the east and sets in the west: Observe the position of the sun at sunrise and sunset to confirm this fact.
- A magnet attracts iron: Hold a magnet near a paperclip or an iron nail to see it being pulled toward the magnet.
- Objects fall to the ground when dropped: Drop an item from your hand and watch it fall due to gravity.
- A mirror reflects light: Shine a flashlight or look into a mirror to observe how it reflects your image or the light beam.
- Sugar tastes sweet: Taste a small amount of sugar to verify its sweetness.
- A hard-boiled egg spins faster and more easily than a raw egg: Spin both a hard-boiled and a raw egg and notice the difference in their spinning motion.
- Bread turns brown when toasted: Toast a slice of bread and observe the browning due to the Maillard reaction.
- Paper burns when exposed to a flame: Carefully ignite a small piece of paper to confirm that it burns.
- Your pulse quickens after exercise: Run in place or do jumping jacks for a minute and then check your pulse to see how it has increased.
- Water refracts light: Place a straw in a glass of water and look at it from the side to see how it appears bent or displaced due to refraction.
- Sound travels faster through solids than air: Place your ear on a table and tap the other end. You’ll hear the sound faster than when it travels through air.
- Cut apples turn brown when exposed to air: Cut an apple and leave it out to observe how it oxidizes over time.