The Scientific Revolution By Mrs. Hoff

Main Idea: In the mid-1500s, scientist began to question accepted beliefs and make new theories based on experimentation.

Why it matters today: Scientists’ questioning led to the development of the scientific method still in use today.

Medieval scholars’ have a geocentric view of the universe. Geocentric - Geo means “Earth” and centric means “centered”. So geocentric means that the earth, created and put there by God, is at center of these beliefs and views, with the Church being the head of it all. Scientists find out what is true or false based on looking in the Bible for answers

Geocentric Most people believed the earth was the center of the universe and that it did not move. All the planets, stars, and moon revolved around the earth.

New Discoveries Exploration and new discoveries challenge old ways of thinking about the world and lead to the Scientific Revolution.

Scientific Revolution Scientific Revolution – people come up with new ways to think about the natural world based on careful observation and a willingness to question accepted belief.

Scientific Revolution This starts from several occurrences: Works by Muslim and other scientific thinkers were being translated into European languages. Explorers brought information from other lands that contradicted the information Europeans had. The invention of the printing press spreads knowledge quickly.

Heliocentric Scientists develop the heliocentric theory through observation and mathematics

Sun-Centered Model Helio means “sun” and centric means “Centered”, so the Heliocentric Model of the universe is the sun-centered theory of the universe that says that the moon, stars, and planets revolve around the sun, not the earth. Nicolaus Copernicus developed this theory but didn’t publish it until after his death because of fear of persecution by the religious authorities

Heliocentric Galileo’s observations and his laws of motion support the heliocentric theory. Galileo’s ideas conflicted with religious teachings and authority which led to his arrest. Galileo was made to stand trial before the Inquisition where he signed a confession that said he was wrong and Copernicus’ findings were false. He lived under house arrest for the rest of his life

The Scientific Method The scientific method is a logical procedure for gathering and testing ideas. Francis Bacon urges scientists to draw conclusions about the world based on their own observations. Rene Descartes believes that everything should be doubted until it can be provided by reason.

Newton Explains the Law of Gravity Newton’s law of gravity explains how the same physical laws govern motion on the earth and in the heavens. Newton believed that the universe was like a giant clock and all its parts worked together and could be expressed mathematically. He believed God set the clock in motion

Scientific Revolution spreads New tools and instruments help scientists make precise observations Microscopes Barometers and thermometer Vaccines and inoculations

Scientific Revolution spreads The study of human anatomy leads to a greater understanding of the body and disease

Scientific Revolution spreads The use of the scientific method in chemistry leads to a better understanding of matter Boyle’s Law Gas oxygen