Galileo's Views on Horizontal Motion: Do You Need a Force to Sustain It?

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristic of horizontal motion according to Galileo's concept?

It is only possible on a rough surface.

It always results in a curved trajectory.

It will continue indefinitely if unimpeded. (correct)

It requires an external force to maintain.

What is the key difference between Galileo's and Aristotle's views on projectile motion?

Aristotle believed projectiles move in a zigzag pattern, while Galileo believed they move in a spiral pattern.

Aristotle believed in a straight trajectory, while Galileo believed in a curved one. (correct)

Galileo believed in a straight trajectory, while Aristotle believed in a curved one.

Galileo thought projectiles follow a circular path, while Aristotle thought they follow a rectangular path.

What is the term Galileo used to describe the combination of horizontal and vertical motions?

Projectile motion

Simple motion

Linear motion

Compound motion (correct)

According to Galileo's theory, what would happen to an object moving on a flat and frictionless surface?

It would maintain its motion indefinitely. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that affects the movement of a ball on a rough surface?

Friction Signup and view all the answers

What type of experiments did Galileo use to develop his ideas about motion?

Thought experiments Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines the vertical motion of an object according to Aristotle?

The type of element that makes up the object Signup and view all the answers

What happens to objects made up of air according to Aristotle's theory of vertical motion?

They tend to rise because the atmosphere is their natural resting place Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of horizontal motion according to Aristotle?

The force of impetus applied to the object Signup and view all the answers

What did Aristotle believe happens to an object when it contains amounts of earth elements?

It becomes heavier and falls faster Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the path of a projectile according to Aristotle's idea?

Parallel to the ground until it falls Signup and view all the answers

What type of motion would Aristotle classify a paper falling on the ground as?

Natural motion Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, what is the primary reason for an object's natural motion?

Its tendency to move towards its natural state Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of violent motion according to Aristotle?

A rock thrown upwards and falling back to the earth Signup and view all the answers

What did Galileo infer about objects in a vacuum?

They fall with uniform acceleration Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, what is the primary difference between natural motion and violent motion?

The presence or absence of an external force Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about an object's motion based on its composition, according to Aristotle?

It will move towards its natural state Signup and view all the answers

What did Galileo conclude about force and horizontal motion?

Force is not necessary to sustain horizontal motion Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason a heavy object thrown in the sea will sink according to Galileo?

Its weight is less than the force acted on it by the water Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the change in speed per unit time of a falling object?

Acceleration Signup and view all the answers

What will happen to an object in horizontal motion in nature, according to the given statement?

It will definitely stop moving at a certain point and time Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why an object's motion on a rough surface is impeded?

The friction on the surface Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary factor Galileo believed determined the speed of a falling object?

Its weight Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental difference between Galileo's and Aristotle's views on projectile motion?

The shape of the projectile's trajectory Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of Galileo's Inclined Plane Experiment?

To investigate the acceleration of falling objects Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of motion that allows an object to continue moving without an external force?

Horizontal motion Signup and view all the answers

What did Galileo observe about falling objects?

They increase their speed as they go down Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the combination of horizontal and vertical motions?

Compound motion Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that affects the vertical motion of an object, according to Galileo's view?

Gravity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of Galileo's 'thought experiments'?

Thinking about the situation and analyzing possible outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for an object's motion to change direction according to Aristotle's concept of projectile motion?

The air resistance that pushes the object forward Signup and view all the answers

According to Aristotle, what is the primary difference between the motion of objects made up of air and objects made up of fire?

Objects made up of air tend to move in a region above the ground, while objects made up of fire tend to move just above the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary implication of Aristotle's concept of vertical motion on the concept of gravity?

Gravity is a natural tendency of objects to move towards their natural resting place Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between Aristotle's and Galileo's views on horizontal motion?

Aristotle believed that horizontal motion is caused by the natural tendency of the object, while Galileo believed it is caused by force Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary implication of Aristotle's concept of projectile motion on the concept of air resistance?

Air resistance is a force that affects the path of the motion of a projectile Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between Aristotle's and Galileo's views on the role of force in motion?

Aristotle believed that force is necessary to change motion, while Galileo believed that force is necessary to maintain motion Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Galileo's Concept of Motion

Galileo explained horizontal motion as an object continuing to move when unimpeded, without the need for an external force to maintain it.
He used "thought experiments" to develop his ideas, analyzing possible outcomes without actual experimentation.
On a flat and frictionless surface, an object pushed will continue moving, but on a rough surface, friction will slow it down and stop it.
Galileo described projectile motion as a combination of horizontal and vertical motions, referred to as compound motion.
He believed projectiles follow a curved trajectory, contrary to Aristotle's view.

Aristotle's Concept of Motion

Aristotle's view on motion was based on observations and stood for many years.
He believed motion can be either natural or violent.
Natural motion occurs when an object moves and returns to its natural state, depending on its composition.
Objects made of earth-like material will return to earth, while those made of air-like material will return to air.
Violent motion occurs when an object moves after an external force, such as pushing or pulling, is applied.
Aristotle believed that heavier objects would fall faster than lighter objects.

Galileo's Inclined Plane Experiment

Galileo was fascinated by the behavior of falling objects and wondered which would hit the ground first if two objects of different mass were dropped at the same height.
He observed that falling objects increase their speed as they go down, which is acceleration.
He postulated that objects fall with uniform acceleration.
Galileo used inclined planes to investigate acceleration through thought experiments, using a ball on a small slope to slow down the acceleration.

Comparing Aristotle and Galileo

Aristotle believed that an object's motion depends on the kind of element that makes up the object, while Galileo believed that an object's motion is not dependent on its composition.
Aristotle believed that projectiles move parallel to the ground until it's time to fall, while Galileo believed they follow a curved trajectory.
Galileo's concept of motion was based on observation and experimentation, while Aristotle's was based on ideas about the natural world.

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Description

Explore Galileo's explanation of horizontal motion, where objects in motion continue moving without external forces. Learn about the concepts derived from Galileo's thought experiments and analysis of possible outcomes.

Galileo's Horizontal Motion Theory