The Scientific Revolution

Scientific RevolutionThe series of events that led to the birth of

modern science during the Renaissance.

TheoriesThe explanation scientists develop to explain

observed facts

PtolemyAn ancient Greek philosopher who wrote

about astronomy, geography, and logic. He looked at the world in a rational, reasonable, and logical way. Ptolemy had believed that the sun and planets orbited around the earth.

What event led scholars to question the works of Ptolemy?

Christopher Columbus sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean using a map created by Ptolemy. He thought he would reach Asia, but instead he ran into North America, a land mass Ptolemy knew nothing about.

Nicolaus CopernicusPolish astronomer who came up with the

theory that the planets moved around the sun in circular orbits.

CopernicusSaid that Ptolemy’s theory of an earth-centered

universe made little sense

Wrote the book On the Revolution of the Celestial Spheres

Came up with the theory that the earth and other planets move around the sun in circular orbits

Inspired fresh thinking about scienceCopernicus Heliocentric Theory Video

Johannes KeplerGerman astronomer who discovered that the

planets moved in elliptical (oval), not circular orbits around the sun

Johannes KeplerDiscovered that the planets moved in

elliptical orbits around the sun rather than circular orbits

His basic ideas about the planets’ movements are still accepted by scientists today

Galileo GalileiItalian scientist who believed that scientific

study would change the way people understood themselves and the world. He proved Copernicus’s theory that the earth moves around the sun.

GalileoThe first person to study the sky with a telescope—

perfected the telescope with a new lens

Saw craters on the moon and discovered that moons orbit Jupiter

Conducted experiments with mechanics (objects in motion)---said that 2 balls of different sizes will fall at the same speed

Proved Copernicus’s theory that the earth moved around the sun

Sir Isaac NewtonEnglish scientist who is known to be one of

the greatest scientists who ever lived. Some of his theories have been proven so many times that they have become laws.

Sir Isaac NewtonWrote Principia Mathematica

Founded the Laws of Gravity and Motion

Proved through experimentation that light is made up of all of the colors of the rainbow; it wasn’t just white like people had previously thought

Invented the reflecting telescope—found in most large observatories today

Tycho BraheDanish scientist who charted the positions of

more than 750 stars during the late 1500’s

He set an example for other scientists by emphasizing careful observation and detailed, accurate records so that scientists can learn from each other’s work.

Scientific MethodA step-by-step process for performing

experiments and other scientific research.

How did the scientific revolution affect the Catholic Church?

Church officials feared that science might undermine their authority. The new findings made by scientists would show that the Church had been wrong about their teachings, which may cause people to doubt their faith. The church would end up losing its power and control over the people.

New Inventions1590---A Dutch lens maker invents the

Microscope

1593---Galileo invents the thermometer

1609---Galileo invents a new and improved telescope

1643---an Italian scientist invented the barometer