The Scientific Revolution

Changing Views of the Universe (mid-1500s) The Big Picture: a new way of thinking based on experimentation and observation changed the way Europeans looked at the world. Changing Views of the Universe (mid-1500s) Nicolaus Copernicus – heliocentric model of the universe Tycho Brahe provided evidence to support heliocentric model Johannes Kepler used Brahe’s data to calculate orbits of the planets revolving around the sun that supported the heliocentric model Galileo Galilei – built an astronomical telescope Observations prove Copernicus’ heliocentric model 1633 tried by the Inquisition Threatened with death unless he withdrew his “heresies” Agreed to publicly state the Earth stood motionless

New Scientific Method (early 1600s) Step – by – Step Process 1. State the problem. 2. Collect information about the problem. 7. Repeat steps 1-6. 3. Form a hypothesis, or educated guess. 6. State a conclusion. 4. Experiment to test the hypothesis. 5. Record and analyze data. Scientific method was based on a new way of thinking. It is still used today

Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes Truth is not known at the beginning of inquiry but at the end after a long process of investigation Bacon – observation and experimentation Descartes - human reasoning leads to understanding; “I think, therefore I am.” Francis Bacon Rene Descartes

Isaac Newton Used mathematics to show that a single force keeps the planets in their orbits around the sun: gravity 1687 Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy explained law of gravity helped develop calculus