English 12 - Mr. Rinka Lesson #24 Newton Galileo

Scientific Writing The Scientific Revolution saw the advent of scientific writings that would shape our modern world and challenge the religious orientation of so many literary works. Whereas Milton tried to explain the ways of God in an epic poem, science was emerging to view the universe from

physical laws created by God. Literary art and scientific writing would evolve from this point as both would at times accommodate the other and sometimes come in conflict. Whatever the case, the Western World would emerge from the Scientific Revolution with a language equipped to handle the rapidly changing world.

Isaac Newton Sir Isaac Newton (25 December 1642 – 20 March 1727) was an English physicist and mathematician who is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of all time and as a key figure in the scientific revolution. His book Mathematical

Principles of Natural Philosophy first published in 1687, laid the foundations for most of classical mechanics. Newton also made seminal contributions to optics and, as a mathematician, he shares credit with Gottfried Leibniz for the invention of the infinitesimal calculus. Newton's Principia formulated the laws of motion and universal

gravitation that dominated scientists' view of the physical universe for the next three centuries. It also demonstrated that the motion of objects on the Earth and that of celestial bodies could be described by the same principles. By deriving Kepler's laws of planetary motion from his mathematical description of gravity, Newton removed the last

doubts about the validity of the heliocentric model of the cosmos. Newton built the first practical reflecting telescope and developed a theory of colour based on the observation that a prism decomposes white light into the many colours of the visible spectrum. He also formulated an empirical law of cooling and studied the speed of

sound. In addition to his work on the calculus, as a mathematician Newton contributed to the study of power series, generalized the binomial theorem to non-integer exponents, and developed Newton's method for approximating the roots of a function. Newton was a fellow of Trinity College and the second Lucasian

Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. He was a devout but unorthodox Christian and, unusually for a member of the Cambridge faculty, he refused to take holy orders in the Church of England, perhaps because he privately rejected the doctrine of Trinitarianism. In addition to his work on the mathematical sciences,

Newton also dedicated much of his time to the study of alchemy and biblical chronology, but most of his work in those areas remained unpublished until long after his death. In his later life, Newton became president of the Royal Society. He also served the British government as Warden and Master of the Royal Mint.

#24 LA 12 The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy

Galileo Galilei Galileo Galilei (15 February 1564 – 8 January 1642), was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent

astronomical observations and support for Copernicanism. Galileo has been called the "father of modern observational astronomy", the "father of modern physics", the "father of science", and "the Father of Modern Science“. His contributions to observational astronomy include the telescopic confirmation of the phases of Venus,

the discovery of the four largest satellites of Jupiter (named the Galilean moons in his honour), and the observation and analysis of sunspots. Galileo also worked in applied science and technology, inventing an improved military compass and other instruments. Galileo's championing of heliocentrism was controversial

within his lifetime, when most subscribed to geocentrism. He met with opposition from astronomers, who doubted heliocentrism due to the absence of an observed stellar parallax. The matter was investigated by the Roman Inquisition in 1615, and they concluded that it could be supported as only a possibility, not an established fact. Galileo later

defended his views in Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, which appeared to attack Pope Urban VIII and thus alienated him and the Jesuits, who had both supported Galileo up until this point. He was tried by the Inquisition, found "vehemently suspect of heresy", forced to recant, and spent the rest of his life under house arrest. It was

while Galileo was under house arrest that he wrote one of his finest works, Two New Sciences, in which he summarised the work he had done some forty years earlier, on the two sciences now called kinematics and strength of materials.

Portrait of Galileo Galilei by Giusto Sustermans #24 LA 12 Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems

Discussion The Importance of the Scientific Revolution in relation to English. A new form of writing that demands precise and clear communication of factual information. Expressing observation and external matters, not entirely imaginative.

A world view that opens tremendous possibilities for philosophical and creative ideas in writing. An objective view point that will lead to journalistic reporting and historical accounts based on fact and not conjecture. Discoveries leading to the growth of the English language.

Assignment #1 Read more about the Scientific Revolution: #24 LA 12 The Scientific Revolution

Assignment #2 Break into small groups and have each group create a list of how science impacts our lives. Each group works with a different aspect of our lives: health / food, shelter, clothing / transportation / communication / education / entertainment / safety / careers

Assignment #2 After your lists are composed, come back together and present your lists to the class.

English 12 - Mr. Rinka Lesson #24 Newton Galileo