The Scientific Revolution Chapter 6 Section 1

Main Ideas In the mid-1500s, scientists began to question accepted beliefs and make new theories based on experimentation. Such questioning led to the development of the scientific method still in use today.

Introduction 1300-1600 = a time of great change in Europe. The Renaissance inspired a curiosity in many fields. Scholars began to question ideas. The Reformation prompted scholars to challenge accepted ways to think about God. While the Reformation was taking place, another revolution in European thought had begun. Enlightenment Intro.asx

Think-Pair-Share 1st – Think to yourself about terms, people and ideas from the Renaissance and Reformation. 2nd – Pair up with the person beside you and create a list of terms, people and ideas you recall from the Renaissance and Reformation. 3rd – Share with the class.

The Roots of Modern Science Before 1500, scholars decided what was true or false by referring to: Ancient Greek or Roman authors The Bible A few Europeans challenged the scientific ideas of ancient scholars or the church by carefully observing nature for themselves.

The Medieval View The Earth was: immovable the center of the universe. Everything revolved around the Earth. This view is known as geocentric theory. Aristotle’s idea Ptolemy expanded the theory. Christianity taught that God had deliberately placed the earth at the center.

A New Way of Thinking Mid-1500s, a few scholars published works that challenged old ideas. New theories replaced old assumptions. Launched a change in European thought known as the Scientific Revolution. The Scientific Revolution was a change in study.

European Exploration New land/new discoveries Scientific research Navigation New discoveries & observations did not match ancient beliefs. Opened Europeans to the possibility that there were more truths to be found.

A Revolutionary Model of the Universe A small group of scholars began to question geocentric theory…

The Heliocentric Theory Nicolaus Copernicus Sun was center of the universe Planets & stars revolved around the sun. Known as the heliocentric theory

Heliocentric Theory (cont.) Problems: Did not explain why Went against religious views Did not publish his book until right before he died. Why?

Johannes Kepler Expanded on Copernicus’ ideas Proved that planets revolved around the sun elliptically

Galileo Galilei Built on new theories about astronomy. Wrote Starry Messenger Described his observations from his self-made telescope. Challenged by the church because it supported the heliocentric theory & it went against church teaching.

Galileo What if the church was wrong about the earth being the center of the universe? What might people do? Galileo had to stand trial before the court. To escape torture, he “confessed” that the ideas of Copernicus were false. He was never again a free man – house arrest 1992, Catholic Church admitted Galileo had been right!

The Scientific Method Scientific Method – a logical procedure for gathering and testing ideas. Observation Question Hypothesis Experimentation Conclusion

Francis Bacon Urged scientists to experiment & draw conclusions. Not rely on medieval scholars. Called empiricism

Think-Pair-Share 1st – Think to yourself about the following the questions: How do you determine if something is real? Do you think everyone determines truth in this same manner? What is the best way to determine a truth? 2nd – Pair up with the person beside you and create a list. 3rd – Share with the class.

Rene Descartes “I think, therefore, I am.” Believed everything should be doubted until proven by reason. Modern scientific methods are based on Descartes & Bacon. Bacon & Descartes.asx

Newton Explains the Law of Gravity Believed all physical objects were affected equally by the same forces. According to his law of universal gravitation, every object in the universe attracts every other object. Degree of attraction depends on the mass & distance between them. Isaac Newton.asx

The Scientific Revolution Spreads Astronomers were busy exploring the secrets of the universe. Other scientists began to study the secrets of nature on earth.

Scientific Instruments Microscope - Janssen Barometer - Torricelli Thermometer – Fahrenheit Fahrenheit/Celsius - Scales

Medicine & the Human Body Galen, Greek physician, assumed human anatomy ~ animal anatomy. Vesalius, Flemish physician, proved Galen’s assumptions wrong. Robbed graves to get corpses for dissection. Jenner, British physician, introduced a vaccine to prevent smallpox. Injected the cowpox germs into humans = immunity to smallpox.

Discoveries in Chemistry Robert Boyle – Founder of modern chemistry Challenged Aristotle’s idea that the physical world consisted of four elements Earth, Air, Fire & Water Proposed that matter was made up of smaller primary particles that joined together in different ways.

Questioning Continues People began to focus on human conditions, instead of just science. Rights & liberties of citizens Challenged the relationship between government & its people Eventually changed the political landscape in many societies.