The Scientific Revolution

1. The Scientific Revolution In the mid-1500s, scientists begin to question accepted beliefs and make new theories based on experimentation

2. What is a Revolution? • A Revolution is a complete change, or an overthrow of a government, a social system, or a way of thinking.

3. The Roots of Modern Science • The word “SCIENTIST” didn’t exist until 1833 • At this time they were called “natural philosophers” or “men of science” • A New Way of Thinking • Renaissance (1350-1600) • New discoveries & overseas exploration • New developments in astronomy and mathematics. • Scientific Revolution— a new way of viewing the natural world — based on observation and inquiry

4. Before the Scientific Revolution… • Until the mid 1500’s, European scholars believed the teachings of Ptolemy, an ancient Egyptian astronomer. Ptolemy (87-140 A.D.) • Ptolemy taught that the Earth was the center of the universe. • People felt this was common sense, & the geocentric theory was supported & taught by the Church.

5. A Revolutionary Model of the Universe • The Heliocentric Theory • Copernicus develops the heliocentric theory — planets revolve around the sun • Challenged the widely accepted geocentric theory • Later scientists mathematically prove Copernicus to be correct Nicolaus Copernicus

6. Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) • Interesting Facts: His parents both died when he was 10 He never earned a college degree He practiced medicine without a medical degree He never married or had children The chemical element Copernicum is named after Copernicus.

7. The Heliocentric Theory • Late 1500s, Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe provided evidence that supported Copernicus’heliocentric theory. • Brahe set up an astronomical observatory. 1546-1601

8. Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) • Interesting Facts: • Began his studies first in Latin, Law, and Philosophy, but was so struck by a partial eclipse of the sun that he decided to study astronomy. • In college lost part of his nose in a duel over who was the greatest mathematician of all time. He covered it with a silver plate • Once held a full 1% of Denmark’s wealth and threw lavish parties. • Had his own court jester, a dwarf named Jepp, whom he believed was psychic • He had a tame pet elk • He died either of a burst bladder (or more recently thought), mercury poisoning

9. The Heliocentric Theory • Brahe’s assistant, Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), used Brahe’s data to calculate the orbits of the planets revolving around the sun. • Kepler’s calculations supported Copernicus’ heliocentric theory & help explain the paths of satellites today. • Interesting Facts: • As a child Johannes Kepler suffered from smallpox. The disease left with crippled hands and a weak vision. • Interest in vision led him to study optics. 1st explanation for how humans see. • Kepler’s mother collected herbs & natural medicines. She was accused of being a witch. Kepler had to hire lawyers to defend his mother.

10. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) • Galileo Galilei - an Italian astronomer - built upon the scientific foundations laid by Copernicus and Kepler. • Galileo was the first to systematically observe celestial objects and record his discoveries.– saw mountains on the moon & spots on the sun. • Observed 4 moons rotating around Jupiter (16-27 today) – the same way Copernicus said the Earth rotated around the sun.

11. Galileo Galilei • Galileo’s discoveries caused an uproar because like Copernicus, Galileo was contradicting Ptolemy. • The Church claimed that the Earth was fixed and unmoving. • When threatened with death before the Inquisition in 1633, Galileo recanted his beliefs, even though he knew the Earth moved. • Galileo was put under house arrest, and was not allowed to publish his ideas.

12. GALILEO • Interesting Facts: • He was a devout Catholic but never married the mom of his 3 kids • 2 of his daughters became nuns • 100 years after his death his body was moved & someone cut off the middle finger of right hand. It is on display at a museum in Florence.

13. The Scientific Method • A New, Logical Approach • The scientific method — a series of steps for forming and testing scientific theories • Scientists observed nature, made hypotheses, or educated guesses, & then tested hypotheses through experiments. • Unlike earlier approaches, the scientific method did not rely on the classical thinkers or the Church, but depended upon a step-by-step process of observation and experimentation. • Bacon and Descartes • Thinkers Bacon & Descartes help to create scientific method • Bacon urges scientists to experiment before drawing conclusions • Descartes advocates using logic and math to reason out basic truths

14. The Scientific Method • The scientific method set Europe on the road to rapid technological progress.

15. The Scientific Method Francis Bacon (1561-1626) René Descartes (1595-1650)

16. “Knowledge is Power” • Bacon was an English philosopher • Bacon popularized the scientific method. • He argued that truth could not be known at the beginning of a question, but only at the end after a long process of investigation. • Interesting Facts: • He got married at 45, his wife was 14 • Was a member of Parliament for 40 years • Was Lord Chancellor, one of the highest political offices in England, but was forced to resign in a corruption scandal • He died from experiments on food preservation, working outside in the snow - freezing a chicken. He died of pneumonia.

17. “I Think, Therefore I Am” René Descartes (1596-1650) • French scientist, mathematician, & philosopher. • Descartes emphasized human reasoning as the best road to understanding. • Like Bacon, believed that truth was only found after a long process of studying and investigation. • Interesting Facts: • Father of analytical geometry • He was short – 5’1” • He slept 10 hours a night & liked to work in bed

18. The Scientific Method • Sir Isaac Newton -English scholar who built upon the work of Copernicus and Galileo. Newton (1642-1727) • Newton was the most influential scientist of the Scientific Revolution. • He used math to prove the existence of gravity - a force that kept planets in their orbits around the sun, and also caused objects to fall towards the earth. • He invented calculus: a method of mathematical analysis. • He viewed the world as a vast, perfect mechanical clock.

19. Newton • Interesting Facts: • He was born 11-15 weeks premature • The apple legend probably never happened • He stuttered • He believed in the Philosopher’s Stone • He had a nervous breakdown and went crazy later in life – mercury poisoning

20. The Scientific Revolution Spreads • Scientific Instruments • Scientists develop microscope, barometer, and thermometer • New instruments lead to better observations and new discoveries microscope thermometer simple mercury barometer

21. IV. Consequences of the Scientific Revolution (cont) • Laws are discovered by human reason • “De-Spiritualized” and de-mystified the Universe • Mechanical View of the Universe • Deistic View of God - Deism: The belief that God created the universe but remains apart from it and permits his creation to administer itself through natural laws. Deism rejects the supernatural aspects of religion & stresses the importance of ethical conduct. • Rise of the “Scientific Community” --Royal Society of London (1662) --Academy of Royal Sciences (1666)