chapter 10-16 core concepts

Geocentric Model

The idea that the Earth is at the center of the universe and that planets and stars move in perfect circles around it.

Natural Motion

The concept that objects move toward their 'natural place,' such as stones fall and fire rises.

Celestial Perfection

The belief that heavenly bodies move uniformly and are unchanging, with only Earth experiencing change.

Copernicus

A mathematician and astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model, suggesting the Sun is at the center of the universe.

Galileo

A scientist known for his telescopic discoveries that challenged the belief in the immutability of celestial bodies.

Kepler

An astronomer who formulated laws of planetary motion, introducing the concept of elliptical orbits.

Empirical Observation

The practice of relying on observable evidence to challenge established authority and tradition.

Newton’s First Law of Motion

An object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by an external force (Inertia).

Newton’s Second Law of Motion

The acceleration of an object is dependent upon the net forces acting upon the object and the object’s mass (F=ma).

Newton’s Third Law of Motion

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Universal Gravitation

The principle that all objects attract each other with a force that depends on their masses and the distance between them.

Scientific Law

An empirical generalization that describes a consistent natural phenomenon.

Natural Selection

The process by which traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common in a population.

Adaptation

A characteristic that improves an organism's chances to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Speciation

The process through which new species evolve from existing ones due to divergent evolutionary processes.

Wave-Particle Duality

The property of light and matter to exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior.

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

The principle in quantum mechanics that states it is impossible to simultaneously know both the exact position and exact momentum of a particle.

Special Relativity

Einstein's theory proposing that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames and that the speed of light is constant.

General Relativity

Einstein's theory that describes gravity as the curvature of spacetime caused by massive objects.

Copenhagen Interpretation

A philosophical interpretation of quantum mechanics stating that physical systems do not have definite properties until they are measured.

Chaos Theory

The mathematical study of systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions, often leading to unpredictable behavior.

E=mc²

Einstein's formula that describes the equivalence of energy (E) and mass (m) with c representing the speed of light.

Deterministic Universe

The philosophical concept where every event or state of affairs, including every human decision and action, is determined by preceding events.

Instrumentalism

The view that scientific theories are merely tools for prediction and do not necessarily tell us the truth about the world.