THEORIES AND LAWS
Heliocentric Theory
The heliocentric theory was one of the most important theories that developed during the Scientific Revolution. For many years, the Church had strongly supported Aristotle's geocentric theory, which was later developed by Ptolemy. The theory supported that Earth was the center of the universe and therefore the Sun and the other planets revolved around it.
The geocentric theory had not been questioned until the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus became interested in the subject and came to deduce a new theory about planetary movement. This theory is known as the heliocentric theory because it holds that the Sun is located in the center of the Solar System and that Earth and the other planets revolve around it in a circular orbit. Copernicus knew that his theory went against religious beliefs, so he did not publish his findings until the year of his death.
Copernicus' theory did not completely explain why the planets orbit the way they do, so another astronomer named Tycho Brahe became interested in the subject and recorded his observations for many years. One of his followers, a mathematician called Johannes Kepler, continued his work and came to mathematically prove that the Earth and the other planets revolve around the Sun.
Later, the italian scientist Galileo Galilei, published a book called Starry Messenger, in which he presented his discoveries. His discoveries supported Copernicus' and Kepler's heliocentric theory. As the idea spread, Galilei had to face the Church's opposition when he was threatened not to support such theory. Out of fear, Galileo took back his words and officially claimed that the heliocentric theory was false.
Copernicus' theory did not completely explain why the planets orbit the way they do, so another astronomer named Tycho Brahe became interested in the subject and recorded his observations for many years. One of his followers, a mathematician called Johannes Kepler, continued his work and came to mathematically prove that the Earth and the other planets revolve around the Sun.
Later, the italian scientist Galileo Galilei, published a book called Starry Messenger, in which he presented his discoveries. His discoveries supported Copernicus' and Kepler's heliocentric theory. As the idea spread, Galilei had to face the Church's opposition when he was threatened not to support such theory. Out of fear, Galileo took back his words and officially claimed that the heliocentric theory was false.
Ironically, in 1992 the Catholic Church officially accepted that Galileo was not mistaken and that the heliocentric theory was accurate.
The Scientific Method
The revolution that Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo began led to a new approach in scientific thinking that became known as the scientific method. It is a logical procedure used to test and gather information and ideas. The first step is to formulate a problem question, which is meant to be resolved with the experiment. Then, scientists form a hypothesis or an educated assuption of what they predict will happen. The hypothesis is tested with an experiment; the data is later analyzed and conclusions are drawn. This conclusion can either prove the hypotheis correct or wrong, in which case the scientist could reformulate it and carry out the expermient again.
The scientific method was developed by two important thinkers: Francis Bacon and René Descartes. In his writings, Francis Bacon criticized scholars for heavily relying on the Church's teaching and Aristotle's findings. He thought that accurate conclusions could only be drawn through experimentation. Similarly, Descartes thought that old ideas and assuptions needed to be replaced with knowledge that could be proved with mathematics and logic.
Modern approches to science are still based on the original scientifc method developed by Bacon and Descartes. It has been proved that observation and experimentation combined with mathematics and logic can lead people to a better understanding of the universe.
The scientific method was developed by two important thinkers: Francis Bacon and René Descartes. In his writings, Francis Bacon criticized scholars for heavily relying on the Church's teaching and Aristotle's findings. He thought that accurate conclusions could only be drawn through experimentation. Similarly, Descartes thought that old ideas and assuptions needed to be replaced with knowledge that could be proved with mathematics and logic.
Modern approches to science are still based on the original scientifc method developed by Bacon and Descartes. It has been proved that observation and experimentation combined with mathematics and logic can lead people to a better understanding of the universe.
Law of Universal Gravitation
By the mid 1600's, scientific findings were already breaking apart the old ideas about astronomy and physics. However, there was still information lacking to fit all the pieces together, which led the brilliant scientist Isaac Newton into studying and developing a single theory of motion known as the law of universal gravitation. After finalizing his studies at Cambridge University, Newton became certain that planetary motion, as well as all matter on Earth and space, was affected by a force called gravity.
The law of universal gravitation explains that every object in the universe attracts every other object; the degree of attraction depends on the distance between the objects and each of its masses. Newton publised his findings on a book called The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy.
For further information on the law of universal gravitation, click here.
The law of universal gravitation explains that every object in the universe attracts every other object; the degree of attraction depends on the distance between the objects and each of its masses. Newton publised his findings on a book called The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy.
For further information on the law of universal gravitation, click here.
Boyle's Law
Along with the revolution came many advances in chemistry. Robert Boyle, a chemist, developed the known Boyle's law, which explains the relationship between volume, temperature, and pressure of gas. It is also known as Mariotte's law.
Another important theory developed by Boyle was that all matter is made up of small particles joined together, which contradicted the ancient belief that matter was made up of the four elements- earth, water, fire, and air.
Another important theory developed by Boyle was that all matter is made up of small particles joined together, which contradicted the ancient belief that matter was made up of the four elements- earth, water, fire, and air.
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS AND INVENTIONS
Vaccines
In the late 1700's, the first vaccine was created by the Edward Jenner. He discovered that inoculation with germs for a desease called cowpox could permanently protect humans againts smallpox (which at the time was very common). As a result, Jenner used cowpox to create the first vaccine in world's history.
Microscope
In 1590, the first microscope was created by Zacharias Janssen, who was a Dutch maker of eyeglasses. Later, the microscope was used by Anton van Leeuwenhoek to observe bacteria and examine red blood cells.
Barometer
The world's first barometer was developed by Evangelista Torricelli, who was one of Galileo's students. It was a mercury barometer used to measure atmospheric pressure and predict weather.
Thermometer
In 1741, Gabriel Fahrenheit made the first thermometer using mercury in glass. He also developed the Fahrenheit scale, according to which water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Later, Anders Celsius developed another scale for the thermometer. The Celsius scale shows water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.
*All this information was taken from classroom notes from previous school years