Laws of Motion, Scientific Concepts, Intellectual Revolutions & Early Civilizations

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on laws of motion, scientific processes, intellectual revolutions, and early civilization achievements.

Law of Inertia

Newton’s First Law stating that an object at rest or in motion will remain so unless acted upon by an external force.

Law of Acceleration

Newton’s Second Law; an object’s acceleration is proportional to the net force applied and inversely proportional to its mass (F = ma).

Law of Interaction

Newton’s Third Law; for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Observation (Scientific)

Gathering information through the senses or instruments as the first step of the scientific method.

Scientific Process

Systematic approach involving observation, identification, experimentation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena.

Scientific Literacy

Ability to understand scientific concepts, use reasoning, and communicate ideas based on evidence.

Charles Darwin

British naturalist (1809–1882) who proposed evolution by natural selection in “On the Origin of Species.”

Theory of Evolution

Scientific explanation that species change over time through variation and natural selection.

Economics

Social science that studies how societies allocate scarce resources to produce, distribute, and consume goods and services.

Society

Group of people living together who share culture, institutions, and often political authority.

Industrialization

Process of transforming an economy from agriculture-based to manufacturing-based production.

Innovation

Introduction of something new that improves a product, process, or service.

Science

Systematic, testable enterprise that organizes knowledge in the form of explanations and predictions about the universe.

Scientific Revolution

Series of events in the early modern period that led to the emergence of modern science.

Technology

Application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, including tools, machines, software, and communication systems.

Intellectual Revolution

Period of profound change in thought that redefines society’s worldview, often sparked by scientific discoveries.

Creativity

Ability to generate novel and valuable ideas.

Curiosity

Desire to know and learn, motivating exploration and discovery.

Critical Thinking

Objective analysis and evaluation of information to form a reasoned judgment.

Sigmund Freud

Austrian neurologist who founded psychoanalysis and developed theories of the unconscious mind.

Psychoanalysis

Freudian method of treating mental disorders and theory of personality emphasizing unconscious motives.

Id

Primitive, instinctual part of personality seeking immediate gratification.

Ego

Component of personality operating on the reality principle, mediating between id and superego.

Superego

Moral component of personality that strives for perfection and induces feelings of pride or guilt.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Renaissance astronomer who formulated the heliocentric model of the universe.

Heliocentric Model

Theory that the Sun is at the center of the solar system with planets revolving around it.

Mayan Civilization

Mesoamerican culture noted for astronomy, mathematics, calendars, and monumental architecture.

Mayan Calendar

Two interlocking calendar systems used by the Maya to track celestial and ritual cycles.

Concept of Zero

Mathematical idea representing nothingness; independently developed by the Maya and others.

Quipu

Inca system of knotted ropes used for record-keeping and accounting.

Chinampa (Floating Garden)

Aztec agricultural technique of creating small, fertile, man-made islands in lakes.

Aztec Calendar

Tonalpohualli (260-day) and Xiuhpohualli (365-day) calendars used by the Aztecs.

Suspension Bridge (Inca)

Rope or fiber span constructed by the Inca to cross canyons and rivers.

Mandatory Education (Aztec)

Aztec policy requiring schooling for children regardless of social class.

Antispasmodic Medication (Aztec)

Herbal treatment developed by the Aztecs to relieve muscle spasms.

Canoe

Lightweight, narrow boat invented/used by Mesoamerican peoples, notably the Aztecs, for transport and fishing.