Ch. 21 Scientific Revolution

Ch. 21 Scientific Revolution

15th, 16th, and 17th centuries

Standards Covered

7.50 Compare and contrast heliocentric and geocentric theories of the Greeks (geocentric), Copernicus (heliocentric), and Kepler (elliptical orbits). 

7.51 Examine Galileo Galilei’s theories and improvement of scientific tools, including the telescope and microscope. 

7.52 Explain the significance of the following in regards to the Scientific Revolution: Sir Francis Bacon in establishing the scientific method and Sir Isaac Newton’s three Laws of Motion. 

Before the Scientific Revolution

-Knowledge of the Greeks were widely accepted

-Earth is the center of the solar system (Geocentric Theory)

-All planets and moons revolve in a circle around the Earth

-Earth stays still in the center

The Beginning of the Sci. Revolution

-Nicolas Copernicus developed a theory that the Earth and all other planets revolve around the SUN (Heliocentric Theory)

-Theory = not proven YET

The Problem

-The Catholic church accepted the geocentric theory because it shows that people are important.

-Copernicus is fearful that 1. He has not proven his theory and 2. he may be seen as a heretic for his findings.

-He doesn't release his findings until 1543, when he is on his deathbed.

Johannes Kepler

-Another discovery following the ideas of Copernicus

-Shape of planetary orbits

-Elliptical Orbit, or ovals

-Planets move faster the closer they are to the sun

-There is an exact relationship between distance from the sun and time to travel around the sun

Galileo

-Italian

-Learned about a telescope that had been invented

-Perfected telescope lenses and made a powerful telescope and microscope

-Began using telescope to explore space

-Studied planets and their movement

Francis Bacon

-Invented the Scientific Method

The Superstar of the Sci. Revolution - Sir Isaac Newton

-Discovered Gravity

-Created the three laws of motion

Other Key People

Rene Descartes

-"I think, therefore I am."

=If a person believes something, then it is real to them.

Andreas Vesalius

-Studied Anatomy

-Dissected human bodies =totally illegal

Other Key People

Robert Boyle

-Invented Chemistry

William Harvey

-Discovered the circulation of blood in the human body