Aristotle and Galileo had differing views on motion and the behavior of objects: 1) Aristotle believed that objects have an essential nature that compels them to behave in a certain way, such as a rock moving downward due to its heavy nature. Galileo viewed objects as experiencing constant acceleration when falling. 2) Aristotle defined motion as the actualization of a potential, which commentators maintained was the only way to define it. 3) Aristotle categorized motion as either natural or violent, while Galileo conducted experiments showing that all objects experience constant acceleration due to gravity during free fall, regardless of mass.

1. Module 3:
Aristotle vs. Galileo

2. Aristotle- explained the behaviour of an object, such as a rock,
in terms of the “essential nature” of that object. For Aristotle, a
non-measurable force existed within an object that compelled it
to behave in a certain manner. A stone, for example, was
classified by Aristotle as a heavy object, while fire was defined
as a light object.
Aristotle’s- account of motion can be found in the Physics. By
motion, Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) understands any kind of
change. He defines motion as the actuality of a potentiality.
Initially, Aristotle's definition seems to involve a contradiction.
However, commentators on the works of Aristotle, such as St.
Thomas Aquinas, maintain that this is the only way to define
motion.

3. “Rocks will normally move
downwards”.

4. According to Aristotle, the motion of physical bodies is of
two types: natural motion and violent motion.

6. Free Fall

10. Three setups in Galileo’s experiment on acceleration and free fall

11. • Projectile Motion

12.  Aristotle
-Initial impetus is supplied to an object,
making it move a new region.
 Galileo
-A projectile moves in constant horizontal
motion simultaneously with a constant
vertical acceleration.

15. • Motion Graphs