Geocentric and Heliocentric Theory
Geocentric Theory was a theory stating that the center of the universe was the earth. It had the basic idea that the earth is the center of the universe and that other planets would go around the earth, even sun. This idea was first introduced by Aristotle and later was improved by Ptolemy. Ironically as we think now, the Christians at the time thought that earth was a special place since it was at the center of the earth. This was caused when they were taught from the church this idea. However when the scientific revolution had arrived, that concept of having earth as the center of the earth will be changed.(World History, Page 623, The Medieval View, Paragraph 1-2)
During the scientific revolution, Copernicus questioned the Geocentric Theory. Noting the idea of the Greeks stating Sun as the center of the universe, and after is long years of researching, he was convinced that the sun was indeed the center of the earth and that other planets would go around the sun including the earth. This is called the heliocentric theory, basically stating that the Sun is the center of the universe and that other planets including earth will go around the sun. (World History, Page 624, The Heliocentric Theory, Paragraph 1-2)
The major problem that was present in both theories was that the reasons for the movement of the planets were not explained. Copernicus had a book written, however he knew it would anger the religious people which caused him to publish the book in near end of his life. Based on the contents of the book, Brahe was the one who made many discoveries in calculation of the movements; however he died before he could get to a conclusion. His assistance Kepler was next one to continue the research. Kepler found out some mathematical laws. One of the major one was that the orbit of the planets were not in a round circular shape but actually an elliptical shape. Brahe and Kepler’s study proved the idea of Copernicus’ heliocentric theory to be correct. (World History, Page 624, The Heliocentric Theory, Paragraph 3-4)
Key peoples from the time
Copernicus
He was born on February 19, 1473 in Torun, Poland. He died at age 70 on May 24, 1543.(http://who2.com/ask/nicolascopernicus.html)
Cladius Ptolemy
He was born in c. CE 90 on Egypt and died in c. CE 168 Alexandria, Egypt. He had a major role in supporting the geocentric theory, the idea originated from Aristotle. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemy)
Aristotle
Ancient Greek Philosophy who was born on 384 B.C in Stagira, Macedonia and died in 322 B. C. (http://www.who2.com/aristotle.html)
Kepler
Assistance to Brahe, explained the movement of the planets on the universe. He was born in December 27, 1571 on Weil der Stadt, Wurttemberg and died in November 15, 1630 at the age of 58. (http://www.who2.com/johanneskepler.html)
Tycho Brahe
He was an astronomer who was born in December 14, 1546 on Skane, Denmark and died in October 24, 1601 at age of 54. He contributed to astronomy by collecting mathematical data in astronomy. (http://www.who2.com/tychobrahe.html)
Galileo’s Discoveries/Invention
Galileo, using the telescope he invented discovered many new discoveries. He found out that the Jupiter actually had four moons along with the fact that the sun had dark spots on them. One discovery that contradicted Aristotle’s idea was the surface of the moon. He described the surface as rough and uneven surface while Aristotle had stated it to be pure. His discoveries supported the ideas of Copernicus. (World History, Galileo’s Discover, Page 625, Paragraph 1-2)
Galileo’s Hardship against the church
As Copernicus had worried, publishing a book that contradicted the church’s idea angered them. Galileo published his first book which included the discoveries through his telescope. After writing this, he was forced to stay quiet by the church. Later he published another book containing the ideas of geocentric theory by Ptolemy and heliocentric theory by Copernicus. Even though it may seem balanced, the book was biased toward Copernicus’ ideas. As a result of this, he spent rest of life and misery, being watched, and eventually died. (World History, Conflict with the church, Page 625, Paragraph 1-3)
Medicine
Edward Jenner created the vaccine to prevent smallpox by discovering that the cowpox has immunity to the smallpox. He used cowpox has the source of the first vaccine for smallpox. (World History, Medicine and the Human Body, Page 627-628, Paragraph 1-2)
Chemistry
Robert Boyle is the founder of the modern chemistry. He contributed in using the scientific method into chemistry. He challenged Aristotle’s idea of what the physical world consisted of in his book.
Boyle
-Made up of smaller particles that join together in various ways
Aristotle
-Made up of earth, air, fire, and water
-Boyle’s law explaining the relationship of volume, temperature, and pressure of gas.
(World History, Discoveries in Chemistry, Page 628, Paragraph 1-2)
Law of Gravity
Law of Gravity was discovered by Newton. The law stating that one matter will pull the other matter. (World History, Newton explains the Law of Gravity, Page 626-627, Paragraph 1-3)
Bacon and Descartes
Bacon Believed that coming up with new ideas would be better than criticizing the old ideas, such as Aristotle’s ideas. Descartes also agreed with the same concept of the idea of not depending on the old ideas. They did have a difference though. While Bacon was more focused on “experimenting”, Descartes was more focused on using “mathematics” as a tool for researching. (World History, Bacon and Descartes, Page 626, Paragraph 1-5)
Scientific Instruments
(World History, Science Instruments, Page 627, Paragraph 1-2)
First Microscope
Zacharias Janssen
First Mercury Barometer
Evangelista Torricelli
First thermometer to use Mercury in glass
Gabriel Fahrenheit
Scale for the Mercury Thermometer
Anders Celsius
