The Roots of Modern Science Thesis- European Scholars began challenging the ideas of the ancient thinkers and bible by observing nature themselves.
The Medieval View
-People believed the earth was placed at the center of the universe and was immovable.
-This Theory was known as the geocentric theory, started by Aristotle.
-Christianity taught that God purposely placed the earth at the center of the universe.
A New Way of Thinking
-The Scientific Revolution came about, scholars challenged past ideas of ancient thinkers and the church.
-European exploration introduced new people, lands, and animals proving there was more to discover.
-European Exploration also brought attention to scientific research, navigators made observations that didn't match ancient beliefs.
A Revolutionary Model of the Universe Thesis- A small group of scholars questioned the geocentric theory and proved it to be incorrect, they came up with the heliocentric theory. Copernicus and Galileo played an important role in these findings, Galileo's discoveries conflict with the opinions of the Church.
The Heliocentric Theory
-Nicolaus Copernicus discovered that the stars, the earth, and other planets revolved around the sun. Scared to publish his book because it conflicted with religious views.
-Published book the last year of his life.
-Tycho Brahe provided data of the movement of planets. When he died Kepler carried out his research and proved that the planets revolve around the sun.
Galileo's Discoveries
-Built a telescope in 1609.
-1610- published a book called Starry Messenger referring to his observations.
-Announced that Jupiter had 4 moons, he sun had dark spots, and the moon had a rough, uneven surface which ruined Aristotle's belief that the stars were made of a pure, perfect substance.
Conflict with the Church
-Galileo's findings went against the church.
-Church warned Galileo not to support Copernicus's ideas.
-Put on trial, Galileo said he did not agree with Copernicus, sentenced to house arrest and died in his home, Catholic Church later finds out Galileo was correct.
The Scientific Method Thesis- The ideas of Galileo, Copernicus, and Kepler developed into the Scientific Method, a procedure for gathering and testing ideas.
Bacon and Descartes
-Francis Bacon urged scientists to experiment and then draw conclusions, the experimental method known as, empiricism.
-Rene Descartes developed analytical geometry which links algebra and geometry.
-Descartes used mathematics and logic to find basic truths. "I think, therefore I am."
Newton Explains the Law of Gravity Thesis- Isaac Newton brought together the theories of Galileo, Copernicus, and Kepler to produce one single theory of motion. He discovered, all physical objects were affected equally by the same forces and universal gravitation. In his book, The Mathematical Principle of Natural Philosophy, he states that the world is one big clock. Newton also believed God was the creator of the universe and set everything in motion.
The Scientific Revolution Spreads Thesis- Astronomers continued to explore the universe while science spread into many other categories. The human body was studied and medicines were invented to cure diseases in the body. Chemistry was also explored further.
Scientific Instruments
-Microscope invented by Zacharias Janssen to observe bacteria swimming in tooth scrapings and red blood cells.
-Galileo's student, Evangelista Torricelli developed the first mercury barometer.
-Gabriel Fahrenheit made the first thermometer to use mercury in glass showing water freezing at 32 degrees while Anders Celsius made another mercury thermometer but showed the water freezing at 0 degrees.
Medicine and the Human Body
-Galen thought the human anatomy was the same as a pig.
-Andreas Vesalius proved Galen wrong and dissected a human body.
-Edward Jenner introduced a vaccine to prevent smallpox using cowpox.(world's first vaccination)
Discoveries in Chemistry
-Robert Boyle, considered founder of modern chemistry, challenged Aristotle's idea that the earth was made up of 4 elements; earth, fire, air, and water.
-He said the matter was made up of smaller particles that joined together in different ways.
-Boyle's law talks about how the volume, temperature, and pressure of gas affect each other.
