Unit 1 Great Scientists New worlds

Warming up Do you know what is the center of the solar system? Can you name the nine planets in the solar system?

Nine Planets In the Solar System .

Nine Planets In the Solar System: Mercury 水星 Venus 金星 Earth 地球 Mars 火星 Jupiter 木星 Saturn 土星 Uranus 天王星 Neptune 海王星 Pluto 冥王星 Nine Planets In the Solar System:

My Very Easy Method: Just Set Up Nine Planets. Mnemonics (记忆术) Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto Can you use a good method to memorize them ? My Very Easy Method: Just Set Up Nine Planets.

Reading Copernicus’ Revolutionary Theory Fast reading 1. What did Copernicus think was the center of the solar system? 2.When did Copernicus publish his theory?

Careful reading Why didn’t Copernicus publish his theory before he died? Discussion (pair work) If you were Nicolaus Copernicus, would you have hidden your theory for so many years? Give a reason.

P7. 1.Use the reading to help you draw the two theories of the universe. Before Copernicus’ theory A diagram showing the solar system with the earth at its centre Showing Copernicus’ theory A diagram showing the solar system with the sun at its centre

Persuasive writing (Please refer to P8 Learning Tip) Writing Task: P7 3.Now write a short letter asking Copernicus to publish his ideas so everyone can read them. First you need to collect your ideas. For example: He believes his new theory is true. There are problems with the present theory. He has done many years of observations to prove his new theory is true. Science can’t develop unless people publish their ideas. Time will show if his theory is true or not.

Here is a plan: Beginning: Tell Copernicus who you are and why you want him to publish his ideas. Paragraph 1: Reason 1 and evidence. Paragraph 2: Reason 2 and evidence. Summing up: Ask him to think again about publishing his ideas.

One possible version: Dear Nicolaus Copernicus, I am a student studying astronomy and I would very much like to read your new theory about the solar system. I hope you will publish it for several reasons. I understand the problems with the present theory. The way the planets move is not what you would expect if the earth was the certre of the universe. It is also odd that the brightness of some stars seems to change. So I agree with you that we need a new theory.

I know your observations have been very carefully carried out over many years. Now you must have the courage to publish them. Science can never advance unless people have the courage of their beliefs. I know you worry about what will happen if you publish your new theory. No matter how people oppose it, time will show if your ideas are right or wrong. So I hope you will feel you can publish your new theory. Yours sincerely, Zhang Hua

Listening (P5) 1. Qian Xuesen first studied to be an engineer. 2. In America he began to work on space rockets so that he was able to develop a space programme when he came back to China. 3. When Qian Xuesen returned to China he sep up a Space Institute to begin training people in how to design and build rockets.

4. In China he has been honoured as “the father of the space programme”. 5. Steve Smith suggested putting Qian Xuesen’s picture on Mars when the first Chinese astronaut lands there.