The Scientific Revolution
Change Over Time Culminating Assessment
What was the change?
Before the Scientific Revolution science was established mostly out of reasoning. Now scientist use experimental and observational methods. Old science generally relied on common sense, religious teachings, and ancient authorities. New science (which is the change) uses observation, experiments, and scientific reasoning to gather knowledge and draw conclusions. The picture beside the paragraph is the scientific method. Today it helps people organize their projects and gather information.
Who were the people associated with the change?
Copernicus, Kepler, Bacon, Descartes, and Galileo were the people who helped develop what is now called the scientific method. Copernicus published the heliocentric theory, Kepler published the first two laws of the planetary motion, Bacon's book Novum Organum encouraged the experimental method, Descartes's book Discourse on Method set fourth his scientific method of reasoning from the basis of doubt, and Galileo supported Copernicus's theory. Sir Isaac Newton explained the Law of Motion, Leeuwenhoek used a microscope to observe bacteria, and Fahrenheit created the therometer that used mercury in glass.