Scientific Revolution &Enlightenment
 In the 1500’s scientists
began to question accepted
beliefs and make new
theories based on
experimentation. It was a
Renaissance of Science!
Scientific Revolution &Enlightenment
Medieval View
ARISTOTLE’S THEORY
The Geocentric Theory - sun, moon,
and planets revolve around the earth in
circular paths.
Christian church supported Geocentric Theory. The
church taught that God created the heavens & earth
and deliberately placed the earth in the center.
(File this information away for future reference!)
Scientific Revolution &Enlightenment
Scientific Revolution – new theories based
on observation.
Nicholas Copernicus – Polish cleric who
studied planetary movements for 25
years concluding the earth & other
planets revolve around the sun.
(Heliocentric Theory)
Copernicus knew his theory would offend
the church and waited until near his
death to have his findings published.
Scientific Revolution &Enlightenment
Men who changed
the world.
Scientific Revolution &Enlightenment
 Johannes Kepler – studied the work of Danish
astronomer,Tycho Brahe and concluded that
certain mathematical laws govern planetary
motion. Kepler established that planets move in
elliptical orbits and his work totally supported
the theories of Copernicus.
 Galileo – Developed the Law of the Pendulum
and disputed the theories of Aristotle.
 Built and successfully used a telescope
 Contradicted the teachings of the church
Scientific Revolution &Enlightenment
Trial of Galileo
Tried by the church and
convicted of heresy.
Forced to recant his
teachings.
Kept under house arrest
until his death.
Scientific Revolution &Enlightenment
 Scientific Method
A logical procedure for
gathering and testing
ideas. This method was
supported by Francis
Bacon and Rene
Descartes.
- Observation
- Hypothesis
- Analyze & Interpret
- Conclusion
Scientific Revolution &Enlightenment
 Francis Bacon – not a scientist but a politician
who supported the scientific method which he
believed would improve people’s lives.
 Rene Descartes - developed analytical geometry
which linked algebra and geometry. He though
everything should be questioned and proven.
Famous Quote – “I think therefore I am.”
 Isaac Newton – Theory of Motion. He believed
that all physical objects are affected equally by
the same forces. (Law of Universal Gravitation)
Scientific Revolution &Enlightenment
 Robert Boyle – Father of Chemistry. Known
for Boyle’s Law explaining the relationship
between volume, temperature, and gas
pressure.
FYI – During the Scientific Revolution, many of
the laws of science established by Aristotle
were proven wrong by Copernicus, Kepler,
Galileo, and others. Also, the heliocentric
theory was first proposed by Hellenistic
scientist, Aristarchus but was rejected in favor
of Aristotle’s geocentric theory. ( 1300 years)
Scientific Revolution &Enlightenment
 Scientific Discoveries
Janssen – invented the microscope
Torricelli – developed the mercury barometer
Fahrenheit – developed the mercury thermometer
Jenner – vaccine for small pox
Scientific Revolution &Enlightenment
 Anton von Leeuwenhoek – used a microscope to
observe bacteria swimming in tooth scrapings.
He also saw red blood cells for the 1st time.
 Anders Celsius-a Swedish astronomer, created
another scale for the mercury thermometer in
which water freezes at 0 degrees.
 Andreas Vesalius – a Flemish physician
dissected human corpses and published his
book, On the Fabric of the Human Body, which
was filled with drawings of organs, bones, and
muscle.
Scientific Revolution &Enlightenment
The Scientific Revolution
questioned accepted beliefs in
science. Enlightenment
questioned accepted beliefs in
society including government,
religion, philosophy, economics,
and education.
Together they changed Europe
and eventually the world.