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Questions and Answers
What empirical evidence did Aristotle use to support his idea of a spherical Earth in 'On the Heavens'?
What empirical evidence did Aristotle use to support his idea of a spherical Earth in 'On the Heavens'?
- The changing positions of stars in the night sky.
- The observation of round Earth's shadow during lunar eclipses. (correct)
- The changing color of the Earth's shadow during lunar eclipses.
- The observation of triangular Earth's shadow during lunar eclipses.
What did Aristotle conclude about the shape of the Earth based on his observations?
What did Aristotle conclude about the shape of the Earth based on his observations?
- It is spherical. (correct)
- It is triangular.
- It is oval-shaped.
- It is flat and rectangular.
How did Eratosthenes measure the Earth's circumference?
How did Eratosthenes measure the Earth's circumference?
- Using observations of the Sun's angle at different locations. (correct)
- By counting the number of stars visible at different latitudes.
- By measuring the depth of different oceans.
- By observing the color changes in the sky at different times of the day.
What was Eratosthenes' role at the Library of Alexandria?
What was Eratosthenes' role at the Library of Alexandria?
What did Eratosthenes compare to estimate the Earth's circumference?
What did Eratosthenes compare to estimate the Earth's circumference?
How did ancient Greek philosophers contribute to understanding the Earth's shape?
How did ancient Greek philosophers contribute to understanding the Earth's shape?
Which ancient Greek philosopher proposed that the Earth was a sphere?
Which ancient Greek philosopher proposed that the Earth was a sphere?
Which ancient Greek philosopher is known for introducing the Pythagorean theorem?
Which ancient Greek philosopher is known for introducing the Pythagorean theorem?
In Plato's dialogue 'Timaeus,' what shape does he describe the Earth to be?
In Plato's dialogue 'Timaeus,' what shape does he describe the Earth to be?
Which ancient Greek philosopher was a student of Socrates and the founder of the Academy in Athens?
Which ancient Greek philosopher was a student of Socrates and the founder of the Academy in Athens?
Who among the ancient Greek philosophers influenced later thinkers with his ideas about a spherical Earth?
Who among the ancient Greek philosophers influenced later thinkers with his ideas about a spherical Earth?
Which ancient Greek philosopher studied the Earth's shape extensively as part of natural philosophy?
Which ancient Greek philosopher studied the Earth's shape extensively as part of natural philosophy?
Flashcards
Aristotle's Evidence for a Spherical Earth
Aristotle's Evidence for a Spherical Earth
Observed the round shape of Earth's shadow during lunar eclipses.
Aristotle's Conclusion on Earth's Shape
Aristotle's Conclusion on Earth's Shape
Based on observations, Aristotle concluded that it is spherical.
Eratosthenes' Method to Measure Circumference
Eratosthenes' Method to Measure Circumference
He compared the angle of the Sun's rays at noon on the summer solstice in two cities to estimate the Earth's circumference.
Eratosthenes' Comparison
Eratosthenes' Comparison
Eratosthenes compared the angle of the Sun's rays at noon on the summer solstice in two different cities.
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Ancient Greeks' Contribution
Ancient Greeks' Contribution
They provided empirical evidence and mathematical reasoning to support their claims.
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Who Proposed a Spherical Earth First?
Who Proposed a Spherical Earth First?
Pythagoras proposed that the Earth was a sphere
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Plato's 'Timaeus' Earth Shape
Plato's 'Timaeus' Earth Shape
Sphere
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Aristotle's Earth Shape Studies
Aristotle's Earth Shape Studies
Aristotle studied the Earth's shape extensively as part of natural philosophy.
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Ancient Greek Philosophers and the Spherical Earth
- Pythagoras proposed the Earth was a sphere based on his observations of celestial phenomena, particularly during lunar eclipses.
- He noted that the Earth's shadow on the Moon was always circular, regardless of the Moon's position in the sky.
- This led him to conclude that the Earth itself must be spherical.
Plato's Contributions
- Plato presented a cosmological framework in his dialogue "Timaeus" that includes the concept of a spherical Earth.
- He discussed the Earth as a solid sphere at the center of the universe, surrounded by concentric celestial spheres carrying the stars and planets.
Aristotle's Observations
- Aristotle observed that the Earth's shadow during lunar eclipses was always round, regardless of the Moon's position relative to the Sun.
- He noted that as one traveled north or south, the positions of the stars in the night sky changed, indicating a curved surface.
- These observations led Aristotle to conclude that the Earth was spherical.
Eratosthenes' Measurement
- Eratosthenes calculated the Earth's circumference using simple geometry and observations of the Sun's angle at different locations.
- He compared the angle of the Sun's rays at noon on the summer solstice in two cities (Alexandria and Syene) to estimate the Earth's circumference.
- Eratosthenes' calculation was remarkably accurate, with an error of only a few percent of the actual value.
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