An example of a simile used in popular science writing:
"If, for example, we drop a small salt crystal into a supersaturated salt solution in water, the crystal will grow by adding to its surface successive layers of salt molecules extracted (or rather 'kicked out') from the water.
…
The molecules of salt that were previously mixed with water molecules simply collect themselves on the surface of the growing crystal."
George Gamow (1961) One, Two, Three…Infinity. Facts and speculations of science, Revised Edition, Dover Publications, Inc., New York.
Read about examples of science similes
Salt is an ionic substance, so does not form molecules under usual conditions. The crystal grows by the addition of ions, not molecules. The solution contains hydrated sodium ions and hydrated chloride ions, not molecules. (Elsewhere in the same book Gamow suggests solid salt contains atoms of sodium and chlorine – a different misconception!)
Read about the nature of alternative conceptions
Read about some examples of science misconceptions
Read about historical scientific conceptions
