Scientific Revolution

World History

Nicolaus Copernicus

Developed the heliocentric theory (Sun-centered universe).

On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres

Wrote by Nicolaus Copernicus in 1543.

Tycho Brahe

Collected detailed astronomical data.

Brahe's Model

Proposed a model where planets orbited the Sun, but the Sun orbited the Earth.

Johannes Kepler

Used Brahe's data to develop the laws of planetary motion.

Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion

Planets move in elliptical orbits, move faster when closer to the Sun, and a planet's orbit is related to its distance from the Sun.

Galileo Galilei

Improved the telescope and observed Jupiter's moons.

Galileo's Trial

In 1633, the Catholic Church forced him to recant his heliocentric views and placed him under house arrest.

Francis Bacon

Developed the scientific method (observation + experimentation).

Inductive Reasoning

Promoted by Francis Bacon, using specific observations to form general conclusions.

René Descartes

Wrote Discourse on Method (stressed rational thought).

Descartes' Famous Quote

I think, therefore I am.

Analytic Geometry

Developed with the help of René Descartes.

Isaac Newton

Developed calculus and formulated the laws of motion and gravity.

Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy

Newton's book published in 1687 explaining gravity and motion.

Andreas Vesalius

Dissected human bodies and published On the Structure of the Human Body.

William Harvey

Discovered that the heart pumps blood through the body (circulatory system).

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

Improved the microscope and discovered microorganisms (bacteria and protozoa).

Robert Boyle

Developed the law that explains the relationship between gas pressure and volume.

Modern Chemistry

Robert Boyle is considered the father of ________

Ambroise Paré

Pioneer in surgery, developed new wound treatment methods (ointments instead of cauterization).

Heliocentric Theory

The idea that the Sun is the center of the universe (Copernicus).

Scientific Revolution

A period of new scientific discoveries and methods (1500s-1600s).

Scientific Method

A step-by-step process for experimentation (Bacon & Descartes).

Discourse on Method

A book by Descartes that promoted rational thought.

Hypothesis

An educated guess used in the scientific method.

Calculus

A branch of mathematics developed by Newton.

Gravity

A force explained by Newton in his laws of motion.

On the Structure of the Human Body

Vesalius' work on human anatomy.