Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Revolution Objective: Discuss and analyze new scientific discoveries between 1550-1800. Key Terms and People: geocentric theory, Scientific Revolution, scientific method, René Descartes, Nicolaus Copernicus, heliocentric theory, Kepler, Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Lavoisier, Vesalius, Harvey, Guiding Questions: What changes led to the dawn of modern science? What discoveries occurred in astronomy, physics, and math during the Scientific Revolution? How did early scientists advance knowledge in biology and chemistry? How did scientific ideas move beyond the realm of science and affect society?

Dawn of Modern Science Scientific Revolution-a new way of thinking; theories about natural world and procedures to test theories. Result of the crusades; concurrent with exploration and the renaissance.

Geocentric theory Proposed by Aristotle, the geocentric theory-earth is the center of the universe. Taught by the Church.

The Scientific Method Scientific method- A new way to investigate problems through experimentation and reason. Developed by Francis Bacon and René Descartes.

Discoveries in Astronomy, Physics, and Math Nicolaus Copernicus-Polish astronomer; heliocentric theory; first model of solar system. Heliocentric theory- sun is at the center of the universe. On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres- published late in life knowing his math was wrong..

Discoveries in Astronomy, Physics, and Math Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler expanded upon Copernican theory; five more planets; Kepler proves elliptical motion of planets. Galileo Galilei, an Italian scientist; built the first telescope; observed Saturn, the craters on the moon, sunspots, and the moons of Jupiter; discovered that the Milky Way was made up of stars; Starry Messenger.

Galileo Galilei

Discoveries in Astronomy, Physics, and Math Isaac Newton came up with theory of gravity; explained in The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, also known as the Principia. Newton developed calculus to explain his theory of gravity.

Discoveries in Biology Humans are the same as animals? Andreas Vesalius -work in anatomy; used executed criminals for dissection; artists produced drawings; On the Workings of the Human Body. William Harvey-human heart; blood and the circulatory system. Microscope invented-red blood cells, bacteria, and plant cells were viewed for the first time=microbiology.

Discoveries in Chemistry The word element was defined for the first time. Boyle’s Law-describes how temperature, volume, and pressure affect gases. Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier-law of Conservation of Mass; recognized and named oxygen; introduced the metric system; first periodic table (33 elements).

Science and Society Roman Catholic Church was questioned during this time. Artists learned human anatomy; experimented with paints and the nature of light, used mathematics to create balance. Mathematics and physics were important to architecture and engineering. Philosophers and scholars would seek new understandings about society. New ways of thinking reexamine old ideas on government, religion, education, and economics, and people wonder if reason could solve the age-old problems of poverty, war, and ignorance.

Wrap Up How did early scientists advance knowledge in biology and chemistry? How did scientific ideas move beyond the realm of science and affect society?