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