An example of an alternative conception in a science text,
"The winkle … is found just above the high tide level, and it has a set of automatic movements which enable it to regain this position if, as sometimes happens it falls back into the sea. In the sea, it moves away from light (towards the rock base), and against gravity (up the rock face). … This complicated set of movement is entirely automatic, so that if, for example, a winkle is placed on the rotating table of a gramophone, it necessarily moves towards the centre, that is to say, against the direction of the force, and 'mistakes' the centrifugal force for a gravitational force."
Brown, G. Burniston (1950) Science. Its method and its philosophy. London. George Allen & Unwin Ltd.
Read a commentary on this quote: Does a winkle get its forces confused?
Read about the nature of alternative conceptions
Read about some examples of science misconceptions
Read about historical scientific conceptions
