Ptolemy, Ptolemy, Copernicus & Copernicus & the Churchthe Church

• In social studies, as in science, it is essential that we recognize and distinguish between what we see and how we interpret what we see.

• There is a fundamental difference between describing an event and explaining its cause--in science, it's delineating the dynamics (The branch of mechanics that is concerned with the effects of forces on the motion of a body or system of bodies, especially of forces that do

not originate within the system itself) from the kinematics (The branch of mechanics that studies the motion of a body or a system of bodies without consideration given to its mass or the

forces acting on it). Yet, students constantly confuse

the two.

Rabbit or Duck?Rabbit or Duck?

Young Woman or Old Young Woman or Old Women?Women?

Chalice or Chalice or Faces?Faces?

Which image has Which image has the biggest center the biggest center

circle?circle?

Which line is Which line is longer?longer?

Are the red lines Are the red lines straight or curved?straight or curved?

Following Oral Following Oral InstructionsInstructions

1. Draw a circle2. Now draw a second circle, make sure they

touch on only one side3. Finally draw a third circle, it must intersect

only one of your two circles in two locations4. Share your drawing with someone around

you. What does this say about oral instructions and individual interpretation?

Geocentric & Heliocentric Geocentric & Heliocentric Retrograde MotionRetrograde Motion

• Geocentric Motion-• The theory that Earth is the center of the Universe and

that other objects go around it. This theory was embraced by both Aristotle & Ptolemy.

• Heliocentric Motion-• The theory that the Sun is the center of the Universe.

This theory was mathematically tested by astronomer Nicolas Copernicus.

So What is the Scientific So What is the Scientific Revolution?Revolution?

• When & Where?• The Scientific Revolution began in Europe

during the late 1500s. It reached its peak in the 1600s.

• What?• The Scientific Revolution was the beginning of

modern science. Scientist said…– We challenge all acceptable knowledge– We believe something only if it can be tested and

proven by experience and observation– We conduct systematic experiments to reveal all the

laws of nature

• Why?• The Greeks (Aristotle) used reason to figure out

scientific explication, but never ran experiments • Muslims (Avicenna) used reason to figure out

scientific explanations, but never ran experiments

• Renaissance humanists (Leonardo da Vinci) explored new ideas in every field, but never ran experiments

• Reformation leaders (Martin Luther) discarded traditional ideas

• The Age of Exploration– Christopher Columbus had a theory; if he sailed west

he would reach Asia. In 1492 Columbus tested his theory. He was dead wrong. There were two “new” continents Europeans had no knowledge of. This made scientists throw “accepted ideas” out the window. From then on, they quested everything!

• Who?Galileo Galileo 1632 1632 ItalyItalyVesalius Vesalius 1543 1543 FlandersFlandersWilliam Harvey William Harvey 1628 1628 EnglandEnglandRobert Boyle Robert Boyle 1662 1662 IrelandIrelandFrancis Bacon Francis Bacon 1620 1620 EnglandEnglandDescartes Descartes 1641 1641 FranceFrance

• How?– Scientists ran experiments using a fixed

pattern, called The Scientific Method• State your theory. This can be the “accepted

knowledge” that everybody believes.• Run an experiment . . . To test your theory!• Observe the experiment. Don’t rely on the human

eye. Use scientific instruments (telescope, microscope, thermometer, etc.)

• Record the results. Use math calculations.• Make general statements. Use math to test your logic!• Draw conclusions. Is the theory true?