Scientific Revolutionaries

Ancient Theory

Ptolemy (1st Century A.D.)• Developed Geocentric

Theory– Earth is the center of

the universe and all other objects orbit around it

Copernicus (1473-1543)• Developed Heliocentric

Model– Sun is the center of the

universe and all other objects orbit around it

• Earth is no different than any other planet

Heliocentric Model

Copernicus

• Copernicus didn’t publish book until last year of his life

• He knew Church would oppose his work– It contradicted teachings of church

• Weakness of theory: didn’t predict position of orbiting planets well

On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres

Quick Question

How do you think the ideas of Copernicus might have influenced the way people thought about the nature of man and

man’s place in the universe?

Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)

• Set out to prove Copernicus wrong – ended up fixing his theory

• Planetary movements could be predicted using math

Kepler solved main problem of Copernican theory• Copernicus wrongly assumed planets orbited in circle• Planets move in elliptical orbits• Planets don’t move at uniform speeds

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

• Early user of the scientific method

• Developed:– Formula for acceleration

of falling objects– Law of inertia– Discoveries using the

telescope

Science and the Church• Galileo’s work supported Copernicus• Pope ordered Galileo to Rome to stand trial

• Church wanted to stamp out heresy (ideas besides their own)

• Found guilty • Galileo agreed not to use Copernican theory in future

work• Received lenient sentence • Put under house arrest for the rest of his life

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727)

• Newton developed calculus• Used calculus to predict

effects of gravity– German philosopher developed

calculus at same time – both men accused each other of plagiarism

– Historians believe it was simple case of independent discovery

Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

• Father of the “Scientific Method”

• Emphasis on practical, useful knowledge

• Famously died from pneumonia while conducting an experiment on the effects of snow on the preservation of meat

The Scientific Method

1) Identify problem

2) Form hypothesis

3) Perform experiments to test hypothesis

4) Record results

5) Analyze results, form conclusion

Big Bang Theory and the Scientific Method

Summing Things Up

Scientific Revolution Video Clip

Copernicus = Heliocentric Theory

Kepler = Elliptical Planetary Orbits

Galileo = Support for Heliocentric Theory, Acceleration, Inertia

Newton = Calculus and Gravity

Bacon = Scientific Method