 Role of chance in scientific discoveries

Chance plays a significant role in scientific discoveries, often acting as a catalyst for new insights and innovations. Here are several ways in which chance influences scientific progress: 1. **Serendipity**: Many scientific breakthroughs occur accidentally, often when researchers are pursuing one line of investigation but stumble upon unexpected results. A classic example is Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin in 1928, which happened when he noticed that mold contaminating his petri dishes had antibacterial properties.