Chapter 1
The Way of Science
Sections
• 1.1- Stardust: An Invitation to Science
• 1.2- Observing the Night Sky
• 1.3- Ancient Greek Theories: An Earth-Centered
Universe
• 1.4- Copernicus's Theory: A Sun-Centered
Universe
• 1.5- Kepler's Theory: a Sun-Focused Universe
• 1.6- Science: A Dialogue Between Nature and
Mind
• 1.7- The Copernican Revolution: Dawn of the
Modern Age
1.1- Stardust: An Invitation to
Science
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-We literally came from the stars, therefore we are
connected to the rest of the universe. It is human nature
to question the physical phenomena that we encounter
everyday.
-Reasons for learning science1. Expand awareness
2. Develop social values appropriate to the scientific
age
-The problems and the solutions of our time are
bound up with science and its close relative, technology.
Thats why we all this the scientific age.
-Physics- Is the study of phenomena that, like falling,
are universal.
1.2- Observing the Night Sky
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-This book's most important
theme is the study of the nature of
science itself.
- The Scientific Process- is
often described as several
activities that scientists sometimes
practice.
- Astronomy- The scientific
study of the stars and other
objects in space, and has been
closely associated with physics.
- Astrology- The belief, rejected
by science for over two centuries,
that events on Earth are
influenced by the positions and
motion of the planets.
1.2
1.3- Ancient Greek Theories: An
Earth-Centered Universe
• - This figure shows the heavenly objects circling
a motionless Earth. This is also known as the
Pythagorean theory of the universe.
1.3 Facts
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- It was thought that the stars kept pace with one another because they were all
attached to the inside surface of a single transparent spherical shell that rotates
around the Earth once a day.
- The known planets were thought to move in a uniform circular motion.
- Uniform circular motion- Motion in a circle at an unchanging or uniform speed.
- A philosophical-mathematical-religious group led by Pythagoras developed this
Pythagorean theory of the universe.
- Pythagorean theory of the universe- The earliest Greek theory. The stars, sun,
and moon, and each of five planets circle Earth on uniformly spinning, transparent,
Earth-Centered spheres to which each is attached.
- These Pythagoreans formed a secretive cult that believed passionately in the
importance of abstract ideas.
-Pythagoras believed that the most perfect ideas were mathematical because they
could be stated so precisely yet abstractly.
- Retrograde motion- A temporary change in the direction that a planet moves
relative to the stars, as seen from Earth.
- Aristarchus’s Theory- A sun-centered theory that was rejected because it seemed
to conflict with everyday observations.
Retrograde Motion and
Aristarchus’s Theory
1.4 – Copernicus’s Theory: A SunCentered Universe
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- Copernicus’s Theory- A
sun-centered theory, similar to
Aristarchus’s. The planets,
including Earth, circle the sun,
and Earth spins on its axis.
This theory explained to Eastto-West motion of the heavenly
bodies.
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- Like Pythagoras,
Copernicus also believed in a
uniform circular heavenly
motion.
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- Copernicus’s theory was
kept a secret until he was on
his deathbed for fear of
criticism.
1.5- Kepler’s Theory: A SunFocused Universe
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- It was not until Johannes
Kepler (1571-1630) that
Aristotle's work was completely
eclipsed. Driven by the need to
explain the highly accurate
observations of planetary
motion made by Tyco Brahe
(1546-1601), Kepler replaced
Aristotle's circular orbits with
ellipses .
• - Kepler’s Theory- states that
rather than moving in suncentered circles, each planet
moves in a sun-focused
ellipse.
1.6- Science: A Dialogue Between
Nature and Mind
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- Observation- refers to the data-gathering
process.
- Measurement- is a quantitative observation
- Experiment- is an observation that is
designed by humans in a controlled
environment.
- Theory- is a well-confirmed framework of
ideas that explains what we observe.
- Model- is a theory that can be visualized.
- Hypothesis- an educated suggestion or
guess, a tentative theory.
1.7- The Copernican Revolution:
Dawn of the Modern Age
• The Copernican revolutionThe rejection of the idea that
Earth is at the center of, and
therefore basically different
from, the rest of the universe.
• The Copernican viewpointThe view that Earth is not a
unique place in the universe,
that the same principles of
nature apply throughout the
universe.
• Galaxy- A large aggregation of
stars. Most galaxies, such as
our own Milky Way, have a
disk like shape and revolve
about their centers.
1.7
• The universe is estimated to contain
somewhere near 100 billion galaxies.
100,000,000,000.( WOW!!!)
• 70 years after Copernicus’s death, the
Catholic church pronounced his theory
was incorrect and opposed to Scripture.