In the mid-1500’s, a profound shift in scientific thinking brought about the final break with Europe’s medieval past.

A. Copernicus Challenges Ancient Astronomy

1. Before the mid- 1500’s Europeans shared a view of that the Earth was the center of the Universe.

i. Church accepted this view

1. Published “On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres”

i. Proposed a “heliocentric” or sun centered model of the Universe

i. Late 1500’s set up astronomical observatory

ii. Johannes Kepler- German Astronomer and assistant to Tycho Brahe

a. Brilliant Mathematician calculated orbits

b. Proved the planets moved in oval shape orbit around the sun

Tycho Brahe’s observatory

Johannes Kepler

1. Galileo Galilei – Italian Astronomer assembled astronomical telescope

i. Observed 4 moons moving slowly around Jupiter

ii. Galileo’s discovery causes uproar in the church

a. Contradicted church’s view that Heavens were fixed in position to Earth

b. 1633 Galileo tried before the Inquisition

c. After year of house arrest and many death threats, Galileo states publicly in court-“The Earth stands motionless at the center of the Universe.”

Ancient Greek Philosopher Plato taught that man should look beyond simple appearances to learn nature’s truth.

He believed that mathematics was the key to learning these truths

1. Englishman Francis Bacon & Frenchman Rene Descartes

i. Both challenged scholarly traditions of medieval universities seeking to make physical world fit the teachings of the church

2. Bacon’s method - more scientific

i. stressed experimentation and observation

ii. wanted science to make life better for all

3. Descartes method - Emphasized human reasoning as best road to understanding

i. Doubt was the only thing he could not question

ii.In order to doubt he had to exist as a rational, thinking being

iii.“I think, therefore I am.”

i. Scientific Method --Requires scientists to collect and accurately measure data

a. State the problem

b. Gather information on the problem

c. Form a hypothesis – an educated guess

d. Experiment to test the hypothesis

e. Collect, record, and analyze data

f. Draw conclusions

g. Communicate, share data, answer questions

A. Exploring the Human Body

1. 1543 Andreas Vesalius published “On the Structure of the Human Body”

i. 1st accurate and detailed study of the human anatomy

ii. Studied dead bodies through government influences

i. Developed an effective ointment for preventing infections

ii. Introduced new surgical techniques and instruments

iii. Invented several scientific instruments

3. Early 1600’s William Harvey – English scientists

i. Described the circulation of blood

ii. Heart serves as pump to force blood through veins

4. Anton van Leeuwenhoek – Dutch Inventor

i. Perfected the microscope

ii. 1st human to see cells and microorganisms

1. English Chemist – Robert Boyle

i. Described all matter as being composed of tiny particles that behave in knowable ways

ii. Distinguished individual elements and chemical compounds

1. Gravity – is the single force keeping planets in their orbits around the sun

2. 1687 – Newton Published a book explain the law of gravity

i. Nature follows uniform laws

ii. All motion in universe can be measured and described mathematically

iii. Calculus – a branch of mathematics – partially developed by Newton and used to explain his laws are still applied today.