Scientific Revolution Cheat Sheet
An era of European history (Renaissance through modern time) when great scientific
advances were made.
Important People and Their Discoveries:
1. Copernicus: Polish scientist who studied astronomy. Developed the idea that Earth and
all the planets revolved around the sun.
2. Galileo: Developed the telescope and proved that Copernicus was right. He was forced
by the church to deny his discoveries and put under house arrest for the remainder of his
life
3. Isaac Newton: Discovered the law of gravity. Newton’s law shows how the planets
move through space. He said that nature runs by a clear set of laws. His work changed the
study of science. Today they use his laws to make everything from basketballs to planes.
4. Rene Descartes: French philosopher and mathematician. Quoted as saying “I think
therefore I am”. He questioned authority and believed that only basic truths should be
accepted without proof.
5. Madame Curie: First women teacher at University of Paris. Found two new elements in
chemistry and that one of these two elements release a powerful energy called radiation.
She also discovered that everything in nature is made of different elements.
6. Louis Pasteur: Studied bacteria and discovered that it caused diseases. He also
discovered that we could kill it with heat and then made milk safer by heating it first
(Pasteurization).
7. William Harvey: Discovered that blood moves in one direction and the blood is moved
through the heart.
Impacts on Modern World
1. Telescope used to today and space discovery.
2. Newton’s law is used to make basketballs, airplanes, and other objects.
3. The scientific method evolved from this time period and is the accepted study method
in science.
4. Pasteurization of all dairy products.
5. Modern medical treatments stem from the discoveries of the period.