Chapter 6-Honors Chapter 10-Regents Section 1

The Roots of Modern Science During the Middle Ages, most scholars believed that the Earth was at the center of the universe. This theory is called the Geocentric Theory. This idea came from Aristotle, Ptolemy, and the Church Scholars replaced old assumptions with new theories. They began to challenge the ideas of ancient thinkers and the church. This period of time was called the Scientific Revolution.

A Revolutionary Model of the Universe Nicolaus Copernicus was an astronomer who came up with a new theory about the universe. This was called the Heliocentric Theory. This theory says that the sun was at the center of the universe. Copernicus’ theory was supported by mathematician Johannes Kepler, who proved this because of the planets having elliptical orbits around the sun. Another scientist supported the Heliocentric Theory, his name was Galileo Galilei. He built a new instrument called a telescope. This gave him the ability to see into space and prove that the sun was the center of the universe. This discovery angered the church. He was told that if he supported this he would be executed. He was tried in court, and was sentenced to house arrest. (law of inertia)

The Scientific Method The thinking that was started by Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo was developed into a new way of thinking called the Scientific Method. 1. Observations- leads to questions and problems 2. Hypothesis- unproved assumptions 3. Tested in an experiment 4. Confirms or disproves hypothesis Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes both helped to develop the scientific method through science and math.

Newton Explains the Law of Gravity Isaac Newton, who was a great scientist, helped bring together some ideas of science under one theory of motion Newton realized that all objects were affected equally by the same force. His theory of motion was the same force ruled motion of the planets and all matter on earth and in space. His theory was called gravitation. According to this, every object in the universe attracts every other object. He published one of the most important scientific books ever written called The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy (Principia).

The Scientific Revolution Spreads Scientist’s invented new tools and instruments to make accurate observations. Zacharias Janssen invented the first microscope Evangelista Torricelli invented the first mercury barometer Gabriel Fahrenheit invented the first thermometer (freezing 32 degrees) Anders Celsius created another scale for the thermometer (freezing 0 degrees) Andreas Vesalius dissected the human corpse and published his observations.