breadth - understanding of the universe Flashcards
(17 cards)
what did Claudius Ptolemy believe (90-168)?
Earth was the centre of the universe
used mathematical calculations to predict the position of the Sun and planets
all heavenly bodies moved in perfect circles around the Earth
how were Ptolemy’s ideas limited?
unable to explain all astronomical movements
what did Nicolaus Copernicus do?
1543: published ‘On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres’
- seen as the start of the scientific revolution
proposed that the universe is heliocentric, with the Sun at the centre
- universe made of 8 spheres, planets revolving around the sun
Copernicus’ influence
presented his work as theory rather than fact to avoid accusations of blasphemy
1616: book banned by the Catholic Church, though it then became highly influential later
many people didn’t take his theory seriously as it contradicted biblical accounts that the Earth stood still
how were Copernicus’ findings limited?
made theoretical conclusions rather than empirical observations
wasn’t sure the spheres planets moved on could be seen, or what they were made of
controversial and therefore not widely accepted
what did Johannes Kepler believe?
agreed with Copernicus’ heliocentric view
1609: ‘New Astronomy’
- first 2 laws of planetary motion: elliptical orbits, faster when closer to the sun
1621: ‘Harmonies of the World’
- 3rd law
provided physical explanation based on observation - used approach of natural philosopher and mathematician
what was Kepler’s relationship with religion?
saw astronomy as a religious duty, helping him to understand the world God created
what was the impact of Kepler’s theories?
shift in belief from constant circular motion to elliptical motion and differing speeds
absence of spheres - people questioned what caused movement
applied mathematics had an impact on everyday life - civil engineering, navigation, etc
established a blend between natural philosophy and mathematics
what influenced Galileo Galilei?
his theories were a natural inheritance of Aristotle and Ptolemy
deeply influenced by Copernicus
what was Galilei’s work so controversial?
his early work was viewed with suspicion by the Catholic Inquisition as it was contradictory to the Bible
much of his work was banned
what did Galilei discover?
used the telescope to discover:
- the moon orbited the Earth in a circular motion
- Jupiter had moons
- new stars
what was ‘Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems’?
published 1632 by Galilei
most influential and controversial work
Ptolemaic and Copernican systems
what was Galilei’s impact?
rejected the right of the Church to act as an authority over scientific matters
major works published in Italian and translated into other languages - widespread impact
who were the forerunners to Newton?
Descartes - continued Galilei’s system of fusing mathematics and natural philosophy
Huygens - work on motion and gravity influenced Newton
what was Newton’s most important work?
‘Principia Mathematica’
- derived from an intense period of study in the 1660s
- established the role of gravity
what was the impact and significance of Newton’s theories?
improved man’s understanding of the universe through his laws of motion and law of universal gravitation
final stage in a long process of theory and discovery
not accessible to many at first, due to being in Latin
- later interpreters provided simplified versions for the masses
what was Newton’s view on magic?
believed in the power of magic
- early drafts of ‘Principe Mathematica’ suggest gravity could be the result of magic
was an alchemist
- belief in the power of light and gravity stemmed from belief that supernatural forces were responsible
as dedicated to his study of the Bible as he was to scientific work
