Chapter 16: Exploration and Expansion Section 1: The Scientific Revolution

From Magic to Science Before the Renaissance scholars and {natural philosophers relied on religious teachings and classical Greek and Roman literature to explain the mysteries of the world} During the Renaissance philosophers and scientists such as Roger Bacon began to favor a system based on scientific experiment During the Scientific Revolution people began using mathematics and experiments and were free to question ideas and beliefs The new approach produced answers to questions in physics, astronomy and anatomy forming the basis of today’s sciences

The New Study of Nature Scientists began forming conclusions on theories based on their own senses, scientific instruments, math and experiments The newly invented scientific instruments included microscopes, barometers, telescopes, air pumps and thermometers. They developed the {scientific method in which scientists believed no assumption could be trusted without repeat experimentation}

One of the first air pumps Galileo’s telescopes One of the first air pumps Early microscopes

Thinkers at that time were particularity interested in: Astronomy: the study of the stars, planets and other bodies in the sky Physics: the study of changes and properties of matter and energy Anatomy: the study of the human body

Copernicus Early astronomer {Ptolemy stated the universe was geocentric (earth-centered) or that the sun and planets revolved around the earth} Polish scientist Nicolaus Copernicus argued that the universe was {heliocentric or centered around the sun} When he published his theory in 1543, people said the theory was illogical to their senses. Everyone could “see” the heavens revolved around the Earth and could “feel” that the Earth did not move

Copernicus and his Heliocentric Model

Kepler and Galileo Later Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei brought Copernicus’ theories to light Kepler, a mathematician, used models, observation and math to prove heliocentric theory to be true. He published his laws of planetary motion in 1609. Many still did not believe Galileo built his own telescope and began studying the heavens. He saw the craters on the moon, the rings of Saturn and he sketched all that he observed and published his findings in 1632. Church scholars disapproved and said the telescope was an instrument of the devil.

Johannes Kepler Galileo Galilei

Newton In 1687, Isaac Newton published a book that expanded on the teachings of Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo. Newton realized that the force that holds the planets in their orbits was the same force that caused objects to fall to Earth He proposed the universal law of gravitation and moreover the force can be measured He also explained the laws of motion and developed a mathematical way to measure motion as well In one swoop {Newton’s work explained the laws of motion and gravitation}

Sir Isaac Newton

Vesalius and Harvey A Flemish Scientist, Andreas Vesalius, published a seven volume book called On the Fabric of the Human Body in which he wrote and illustrated the components of the body and how they worked together. English physician, William Harvey, described the circulation of the blood, how the blood moved through the veins and arteries and how the heart functions

Andreas Vesalius and illustrations from his book On the Fabric of the Human Body

The Triumph of the New Science Rene Descartes created a mathematical description of the way light reflects off of a smooth surface in the law of refraction Gottfried Liebnitz developed calculus Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (LAY-ven-hook) discovered bacteria and other life forms never seem by the human eye Robert Boyle pioneered chemistry by showing that temperature and pressure affect the space that a gas occupies {Antoine Lavoisier proved that matter can change form and cannot be created nor destroyed} by experimenting with fire, oxygen, steam and air

Section review natural philosophers relied on religious teachings and classical Greek and Roman literature to explain what? scientific method in which scientists believed no assumption could be trusted without repeat experimentation Ptolemy stated the universe was geocentric _____ ________ heliocentric is where the universe is centered around the ___ Newton’s work explained what laws?

Rene Descartes law of Refraction