The Scientific Revolution Flashcards
Ptolemaic/ Geocentric
Universe was seen as a series of concrete spheres, where earth was in the center. This influenced many renaissance thinkers as the emphasis of Classic roman/greek cutler was evident in the Renaissance era.
Nicolaus Copernicus
Astronomer and mathematician who disagreed w/ geocentric views. Wrote “On the revolutions of the heavenly spheres” and discussed faults in Geocentric views. [Earth was not the center of universe and solar system rotated circularly. Everything revolves around sun except moon.
Tycho Brahe
Danish nobleman; astronomer. Rejected Aristole-Ptolemaic system and Copernicus. Argued the earth moves in an elliptical. Mentor to Johannes Kepler.
Johannes Kepler
Assistant to Brahe; created theory that universe was constructed of geometric figures: Speed of rotation of planets depend on distance from the sun. (Father you are, slower planet gets)
Galileo
Wrote “The starry messenger”: Moon craters, Jupiter’s moons, and phases of Venus through telescope. Agreed with heliocentric views of Copernicus. Was excommunicated from pope and lived in exile the remanding years
Isaac Newton
Discovered means of calculating rates of change. Laws of universal gravitation: states that a particle attracts every other particle in the universe using a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. “Last Magician”
Principia
Newtons major work: The mathematical principles of natural philosophy. Demonstrates Law of gravitation. Considered high point in modern science. [Unless force is forced upon, an object rate of motion is proportional to the forced forced upon it. Every action has a reaction
Isaac Newton (2)
Applied theory’s of Mechanic to problems of Astronomy: 3 laws of motion to govern planetary bodies.
- Planetary bodies orbit elliptically, not straight lines
- every object attracted to another with gravity
Galen
Greek physician in 2nd century that influences medieval medicine. Used animals instead of humans to base his studies. The four humors: blood (warm and moist) Phlegm(cold and moist) Yellow bile (warm and dry) Black bile (cold and dry)
Paracelsus
Physician from early 16th century. Rejected both Aristotle and Galen views. Stated disease was not imbalance off humors but a chemical imbalance in the body. Chemical philosophy: stated universe was based on Macro-Microcosm analogy.
Andreas Vesalius
Physician from Paris. Wrote “On the fabric of the human body”. Based on dissections of humans, examine organs and blood flow (one flow between arteries and capillaries)
William Harvey
Wrote “On the motion of the heart and blood” Opposed Galen ideas of blood flow stating it did not start from the liver but rather flowed continuously through the veins/arteries.
Robert Boyle
A chemist who used Boyle’s law to explain volume of a gas varies with the pressure exerted. Rejected old, medieval belief of matter: consisted of the same element
Margaret Cavendish
Predominate woman scientist in the late 17th century. Despite accomplishments, was denied at a royal council position because of gender. Famous work: “Observations upon experimental philosophy and grounds of natural Philosophy” Attacked what she considered defective: through science, humans can master nature
Maria Merian
German entomologist: Illustrated her findings that showed to be a huge influence to entomology in the 18th century. Traveled to Surinam, South Africa and illustrated her plants and insects in her famous “Metamorphosis of the Insects of Surinam.
