The Scientific Revolution and Nicolaus Copernicus Quiz

The Scientific Revolution

• The Scientific Revolution was a significant change in the scientific view of the universe that occurred in the 16th and 17th centuries
• It established new scientific concepts and methods as the standard for assessing the validity of knowledge in the West

Nicolaus Copernicus

• Proposed heliocentrism, positioning the Sun at the center of the universe with Earth and other planets orbiting around it
• Challenged the prevailing geocentric belief that Earth was the center of the universe
• His theory eventually gained acceptance, leading to significant advancements in astronomy and scientific questioning

Tycho Brahe

• Made observations that were ultimately incorrect, but his efforts allowed for the collection of astronomical data used by later scientists

Johannes Kepler

• Used data from Copernicus and Tycho Brahe to determine that the Sun is the center of the universe
• Discovered that the orbits of planets are elliptical, not circular

Galileo Galilei

• Used a telescope to observe the heavens, discovering new stars, mountains on the moon, and moons orbiting Jupiter
• Argued for a universe of mathematical laws, suggesting that nature displays mathematical regularity in its most minute details
• Popularized the Copernican system and advocated for the concept of a universe subjected to mathematical laws
• Named the moons of Jupiter after the Medici family

Isaac Newton

• Investigated and established the laws of gravitation
• Published "The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy", containing research and evidence from 15 years prior
• Took Galileo's concept of inertia and applied it to people at rest and in motion
• Figured out that planets and objects move due to the attraction of gravity, explaining why planets move in an orderly fashion rather than in chaos