The Scientific Revolution represented a major change in views of the physical universe that began in the 17th century. Prior medieval science was based on reasoning and tradition rather than experimentation. The Scientific Revolution established new principles of science based on questioning old assumptions, empirical evidence through experimentation and observation, and reason over religious dogma. Major developments included Copernicus establishing a heliocentric model of the solar system, Kepler's laws of planetary motion, Galileo's astronomical observations with the telescope, and Newton's formulation of universal gravitation and the laws of motion.

1. The Scientific Revolution A New World View

2. What Was the Scientific Revolution? A revolution in human understanding and knowledge about the physical universe 17th Century Began w/ Copernicus Ended w/ Newton

3. “ Science” Before the SR Based on reasoning Experimental method or observation - not used Medieval Science Alchemy Astrology

4. Creating a New Worldview Hallmarks of SR Questioning of old knowledge & assumptions Gradual replacement of religious & superstitious presumptions Gradual rise of science & reason

5. Factors Leading to SR Rise of universities Renaissance Reformation Exploration

6. Astronomy & Physics Work with the person next to you and diagram the Universe as we know it today Be as accurate as possible You have 2 minutes…

7. How does your diagram differ?

8. Astronomy & Physics Prior to SR - Ptolemaic System prevailed Geocentric Universe Earth is at center Remains fixed while the heavens move around it

10. Nicolaus Copernicus 1473-1543 Polish Suggested the universe was heliocentric

11. Copernicus’ Heliocentric Universe Sun centered Planets revolved around sun Moon, around Earth Earth rotated on an axis

12. Copernican Universe Afraid of the Catholic Church Published theory on his deathbed

13. Tycho Brahe 1546-1601 Danish mathematician More accurate positioning of planets

14. Johannes Kepler 1571-1630 German mathematician Proved Copernican theory via math Kepler’s First Law Earth orbits in an elliptical (egg-shaped) pattern, not circular like Copernicus suggested

15. Galileo Galilei 1564-1642 Italian mathematician Improved telescope Went public with heliocentrism

16. Science on Trial Catholic Church - not happy Arrested by Inquisition Tried Condemned Forced to recant Copernican views House arrest

17. Sir Isaac Newton 1642-1727 British mathematician Laws of motion

18. Universal Law of Gravity Explains why planets continue an elliptical orbit around sun Mathematical in nature States that every object in the universe is attracted to every other object by a force called gravity

19. Medicine Better understanding of anatomy & physiology Microscope invented

20. Chemistry Robert Boyle Boyle’s Law (properties of gasses) Antoine Lavoisier Father of modern chemistry Invented system for naming chemical elements still used today (periodic table)

21. Rationalism Reason, not tradition, is the source of all knowledge René Descartes (1596-1650) French philosopher & mathematician Cogito, ergo sum (“I think, therefore I am”) Deductive reasoning (general specific)

22. Empiricism The belief that experience is the only true source of knowledge Huge shift toward empiricism in the SR Led to development of the Scientific Method

23. Scientific Method Francis Bacon (1561-1627) English philosopher & empiricist Systematic procedure for collecting & analyzing evidence Inductive reasoning (specific general)