Scientific Revolution
The Renaissance included changes in scientific thought, generally seen as beginning in
the mid-16th Century (1500’s). Long-held scientific understandings based on Ancient
Greek and Roman learning and teachings of the church were questioned. The
Scientific Revolution led researchers of all kinds to change their way of thinking and
working. Before the revolution church doctrine (teachings) and ancient findings
were accepted as fact. After, conclusions were created through logical reasoning
and controlled, provable experimentation.
Scientific Method
The scientific method is a method of obtaining knowledge, advanced by the
scientist Francis Bacon. It is based on observation and experimentation to prove a
theory is correct. The scientific method often provided a more open mind, doubting
even well-accepted beliefs that existed without proof. It also provided independent
evidence of new ideas.
An alternative approach was furthered by people such as the French scientist René
Descartes, who used reason to develop scientific knowledge. For instance, he
hypothesized that fundamentally he existed because he was able to reason (“I think,
therefore I am”). Science developed as a mix of both approaches, including the
development of theoretical mathematics as well as more experiential methods (based
on observation).
Astronomy
Astronomy is the study of celestial objects such as stars, while astrology is the belief
such objects could help explain human affairs. Astronomy had ancient roots and had
practical uses such as for navigation of ships. Inventions such as the sextant, a
device to determine the distance between two objects, helped promote the Age
of Exploration. It also helps explain how the universe itself works.
The traditional view was that the earth was the center of the solar system
(geocentric view), which seemed to be true by observation and matched biblical
texts. In the 16th Century, the astronomer Nicolas Copernicus, helped with the
discovery of the telescope that allowed for a more accurate study of the skies.
Before the Scientific Revolution people believed in a geocentric model of the universe.
This was taught by ancient scientists as well as the Catholic Church. A new
understanding was developed that used a heliocentric (sun centered) view of the
solar system. Further discoveries by such scientists as Johannes Kepler and Galileo
expanded on his work. Galileo was put on trial as a heretic for speaking out against
the church’s teachings that the universe revolved around the earth. At trial he faced
the difficult decision to testify his beliefs and be executed or back down. He
chose life, and on the witness stand retracted his earlier statements that the sun
was at the center of the universe.
Isaac Newton, an English scientist, who formulated basic laws of motion and
gravity. He is supposed to have created the theory of gravity after sitting under a
tree and having an apple fall on his head. This led him to believe that all things made of
matter will fall – whatever goes up, must come down. It also caused him to dislike
apples (only kidding).
Geocentric Universe Heliocentric Universe
Other Developments
Discoveries in astronomy were matched by those in biology and medicine, the
technology providing the telescope also giving us the microscope. This allowed a
magnified view of the human body, down to the individual cells, and helped to better
understand human anatomy. William Harvey is an example; he studied the
circulation of the blood. Developments in chemistry started science on the road to
modern understanding of atoms and chemical reactions.
The Scientific Revolution included inventions in a range of fields, such as the
development of the first mechanical clocks. The new ways of looking at science also
was applied in other ways, influencing political thought. Political thinkers such as John
Locke used scientific reasoning to explain human behavior and new ways to govern.
Ideas taken from the Scientific Revolution were expanded out to many other areas,
such as government, society and economics. Thus, the era had diverse significance,
helping pave the way to the 18th Century and beyond.
Liam Chancey
Name: __________________________ Date: ___________
The Scientific Revolution
A revolution is a big change in the way people live. What was the big change
during the Scientific Revolution?
People changed their thought process on how to view the universe and science got
many advancements in this time as well as math getting new rules
Scientific Method
Explain why each step in the scientific method is
important to reach reliable conclusions.
Question: First you need your thought process on what your
idea is.
Hypothesis: still a question phase but you are thinking on
how this experiment needs to get done.
Experiment: Now you actually test if this Question/Hypothesis
is plausible. Can it be done
Analysis: You analyze what is happening and record it.
Conclusion: You now know if your idea actually works or
not and could possibly publish it.
Scientist: Nicolas Copernicus
Contribution: Gave us our Heliocentric Theory which we can actually prove to be true
today.
Scientist: Galileo
Contribution:Expanded on Nicolas ´ work and almost got executed as a heretic, before
that he also showed the pope the star´s and stuff through a magnifying glass
Scientist: Isaac Newton
Contribution: Gave us the laws of motion and gravity
Scientist:
Contribution:
Impact:
Based on the reading passage circle all the effects of the
Scientific Revolution.
Increase in the power of the Church
Compass
Questioning Authority
Telescope
Geocentric universe
Microscope
Heliocentric universe
Mechanical clocks
Laws of gravity
Apple watches
Theory of relativity
New ways to govern
Sextant
New ways to grow apples
As you read, when Galileo wrote about his findings that the sun was at the
center of the universe (not the earth) he was placed on trial for heresy
(speaking against church teaching). During the trial he recanted (changed his
story).
Do you think Galileo was a coward? Explain your answer.
Unscramble the words to identify the scientist.
WTNOE _______________
Galileo
LLOGEIA _______________
Copernicus
CPRNCSOEIU _______________
EAEDSCTRS _______________
NCAOB _______________
