Chapter 22 Section A
The Scientific Revolution
Medieval View
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Earth was an unmoving object at the center of the universe
All other heavenly bodies moved in perfectly circular
The above theory was called the Geocentric Theory (EarthCentered)
The idea came from the Greek philosopher Aristotle
The Church taught that God had deliberately placed the
Earth at the center of the universe
Aristotle
The Scientific Revolution
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Scientific Revolution
It was based on careful observation and a willingness to
question accepted beliefs
The Renaissance discoveries of ancient manuscripts showed
scholars the ancient scientists and authors often did not
agree with one another
Scholars of the 15th Century began visiting Africa, Asia,
&the Americas; they found people, plants, and animals
previously unknown. Scholars began thinking there may be
new truths to discover.
The printing press helped to spread challenging ideas
European exploration helped to fuel scientific exploration –
especially in astronomy and mathematics
The Scientific Revolution
A Revolutionary Model of the Universe
• The first major challenge to accepted scientific
thinking came in the field of astronomy
• Nicholas Copernicus – Polish monk that put
forth the Heliocentric Theory (Sun-Centered).
He published his works in 1543 (last year of
his life). His work was titled On the
Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies.
Copernicus
The Scientific Revolution
• Johannes Kepler – Student of Tycho Brahe. He agreed
with the Heliocentric Theory and believed heavenly
bodies followed elliptical orbits. His work showed that
Copernicus was right.
Elliptical Heliocentric
Theory
Tycho Brahe
Kepler
The Scientific Revolution
• Galileo Galilei – At he proved that Aristotle’s theory of
a pendulum’s movements was wrong. His theory of a
pendulum was called the Law of Pendulum. He proved
Aristotle’s theory of falling weights was wrong
(experiment from the Leaning Tower of Pisa). He
made a telescope and observed heavenly bodies. He
recorded his findings in his book Starry Messenger. His
findings were found to conflict with Church teachings.
After being warned by the Church to remain silent he
published, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World
Systems. He was forced to stand trial in front of the
Inquisition (1633); signed a confession that Copernicus’
ideas were false and was placed under house arrest until
his death in 1642.
Galileo
The Scientific Revolution
Scientific Method
• This is a logical procedure for gathering and
testing ideas
• Method
1. Problem or question arises from observation
2. Form a hypothesis (unproved assumption)
3. Test the hypothesis in an experiment or on the
basis of data
4. Analyze and interpret data
5. Reach a conclusion that either confirms or
disproves the hypothesis
The Scientific Revolution
• Francis Bacon – English politician and writer.
He believed that by better understanding the
world, scientist would generate practical
knowledge that would improve people’s lives.
He urged scientists to experiment. He believed
in the theory of Empiricism or the
experimental method.
Francis Bacon
The Scientific Revolution
• Rene Descartes – He developed analytical
geometry, which linked algebra and geometry.
He relied on mathematics and logic rather than
experimentation. His most famous quotation
is, “I think, therefore I am”.
Descartes
The Scientific Revolution
• Isaac Newton (English) – His great discovery
was that the same force ruled the motions of
the planets, the pendulum, and all matter on
Earth and in space. His key idea linked motion
in the heavens with motion on the Earth was
the Law of Universal Gravitation. In 1687 he
published his ideas in a work called
Mathematical Principles of Natural
Philosophy.
Isaac Newton
The Scientific Revolution
Scientific Revolution Spreads
• Zacharias Janssen – (Dutch) invented the first
microscope
• Evangelista Torricelli – Developed the first
mercury barometer (a tool used for measuring
atmospheric pressure and predicting weather).
• Gabriel Fahrenheit – (Dutch Physicist) He
made the first thermometer to use mercury in
glass (1714).
Temperature Systems
The Scientific Revolution
• Anders Celsius – (Swedish) created another scale
for the mercury thermometer (1742). His showed
freezing at 0 degrees Celsius.
• Andreas Vesalius – (Flemish physician) He
dissected human corpses and published his
findings in his book, On the Fabric of the Human
Body (1543). He disproved the writings of an
ancient Greek physician named Galen.
• Edward Jenner – (English) Proved the first
vaccine to prevent small poxes.
Vesalius
The Scientific Revolution
• Robert Boyle – He is considered the founder of
modern chemistry. He developed Boyles Law
which explains how the volume, temperature,
and pressure of gas affect each other.
• Joseph Priestley – Separated on pure gas from
air.
• Antoine Lavoisier – Named his newly
separated gas oxygen.
Robert Boyle
TA22B
Read Pages 629-635
Copy and Define the Terms on Page
634
Copy and Answer Questions 12, 13, &
14 on Page 646