The Scientific Revolution
Sandy B. 2nd
What was the change?
In the 1500s scholars began publishing works that challenged the ideas of ancient thinkers. These ideas replaced many old assumptions with scientifically backed theories. Many of these new ideas challenged the church and its ideas. People were starting to question old beliefs they had always relied on. This new way of basing conclusions on observations became the scientific revolution.
Who were the people associated with this change?
Nicolaus Copernicus
In the early 1500's he became interested in the Greek idea that the sun was the center of the universe. He created the Heliocentric theory that told that the planets, including Earth, orbited the sun. Many Scholars and clergy rejected his theory because it did not completely explain why the planets orbited the way they did.
Johannes Kepler
He was a great mathematician that was certain that mathematical laws played a part in the movement of planets. One of these laws displayed that the planets moved in elliptical paths.
Galileo Galilei
Galileo created many new theories for astronomy. He invented the telescope to allow people to see far off into the distance. The church did not want Galileo to defend Copernicus' theories. He wrote a book clearly supporting Copernicus and was sent before trio in rome before the inquisition. In fear of torture he agreed the theories of Copernicus were false.
Isaac Newton
Newton began to put together previous ideas into a theory of motion. He told that all physical objects were affected equally by the same forces. The motion of all matter, even the orbit of planets, became the key idea for the Law of Universal Gravitation. The law states that all objects are attracted to each other and the amount of attraction is determined by the size. He published is theories in The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. It described how motion could be expressed perfectly through mathematics.
How did change impact society at the time?
New secrets of the universe were being discovered. Scientific instruments were being invented to allow more accreted observations to be made and data collected. The telescope allowed people to see far off and the newly invented microscope allowed scientist to view items much closer. Bacteria and red blood cells were some of the first things to be observed. A student of Galileo's created the first mercury barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure. Anders Celsius created the first mercury thermometer for measuring temperature. There were now new ways to study weather, the human body, and the stars.
How is that change evidenced in today's modern society?
All of the inventions created in the 15 and 1600's were developed and advanced to modern times, and are now instruments we use in everyday life. High-powered telescopes and microscopes allow us to see deeper than ever before. Advanced barometers and thermometers are used to predict weather much father in advance. All of these important theories are the base for are current knowledge of physics. The orbit of planets and the theory of gravity were further investigated and added on to. The scientific revolution kickstarted many of the great theories we learn in school today.