Scientific Discoveries in Physical and Earth Sciences

The idea that the Sun, not Earth, is the center of the solar system.

The elliptical paths followed by planets in their orbits around the Sun.

Galileo discovered that planets other than Earth have moons.

Describes the relationship between pressure and volume of gases at constant temperature.

Each element produces a unique pattern of light when heated.

Mendeleev's organization of elements based on their properties.

The spontaneous emission of particles from the nucleus of an atom.

The prevailing cosmological model for the universe's origin and evolution.

The theory that Earth's continents were once joined together and have slowly drifted apart over millions of years.

The process by which new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges and then moves away from the ridge.

The study of complex systems where small changes can have unpredictable and large-scale effects.

The theory that many diseases are caused by microscopic organisms called germs.

The process by which cells reproduce by dividing into two identical daughter cells.

The process of change in human species over time, leading to the development of modern humans.

Organelles within cells that are responsible for producing energy.

Chemical messengers that transmit signals between nerve cells.

Segments of DNA that can move around in a genome, sometimes altering gene expression.

The double helix structure of DNA, composed of two strands of nucleotides linked by hydrogen bonds, proposed by Watson, Crick, and Franklin in 1953.

The theory that all living organisms share a common ancestor and evolve through a series of gradual changes.

The complete set of genetic instructions in human cells, first sequenced by Venter and Watson in 2003.

The continuous flow of blood throughout the body, discovered by William Harvey in 1628.

Introducing weakened or inactive pathogens into the body to stimulate immunity, pioneered by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu and Edward Jenner around 1798.

The use of drugs to induce a state of unconsciousness or reduced pain sensitivity, discovered by Davy, Simpson, and Long in 1801.

Distinct categories of blood based on the presence or absence of specific antigens on red blood cells, discovered by Karl Landsteiner in 1897.

Charles Darwin is known for his theory of evolution, explaining how species change over time through natural selection.

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, an antibiotic that revolutionized medicine by fighting bacterial infections.

Edwin Hubble discovered that the universe is expanding, leading to the understanding of the Big Bang.

The Doppler effect describes how the frequency of waves changes depending on the relative motion between the source and the observer.

Count Rumford conducted experiments that challenged the caloric theory of heat, paving the way for the understanding of heat as a form of energy.

Gregor Mendel, known as the father of genetics, discovered the fundamental laws of inheritance.

John Dalton proposed the atomic theory, suggesting that matter is made up of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms.

The Krebs Cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle, is a central metabolic pathway in all living organisms, responsible for breaking down carbohydrates for energy.

While Benjamin Franklin is credited with mapping it, Alexander von Humboldt studied the Gulf Stream's influence on climate and ocean currents.

Werner Heisenberg's uncertainty principle states that it is impossible to know both the position and momentum of a particle with perfect accuracy.

Aristotle proposed that the Earth is a sphere, a groundbreaking idea for its time.

Tycho Brahe challenged the long-held belief that the heavens were fixed and unchanging, paving the way for new astronomical discoveries.

Robert Boyle described the relationship between the pressure and volume of a gas at a constant temperature.

Daniel Bernoulli explained the concept of lift and fluid pressure, essential for understanding air travel.

Edmund Halley calculated the predictable orbit of a comet, now named after him.

Henry Cavendish made the first accurate determination of Earth's mass.

Michael Faraday achieved the liquefaction of gases, a significant breakthrough in understanding matter.

Jan Evangelista Purkinje discovered that fingerprints are unique for every individual, revolutionizing forensic science.