Galileo and the Copernican Revolution

These flashcards cover important figures, concepts, and events related to Galileo Galilei and the Copernican Revolution.

Galileo Galilei

An Italian astronomer and physicist who played a crucial role in the Copernican revolution, known for his improvement of the telescope and support of heliocentrism.

Johannes Kepler

A contemporary of Galileo known for his laws of planetary motion and improved astronomical charts that supported the Copernican theory.

Copernican Revolution

The paradigm shift in astronomy that placed the Sun at the center of the universe instead of the Earth, influenced significantly by the works of Galileo and Kepler.

Primary and Secondary Qualities

A distinction where primary qualities (e.g., shape, number, motion) exist independently of observers, while secondary qualities (e.g., color, taste) depend on the observer's senses.

Mathematics in the Sciences

Galileo famously stated that 'the book of the universe is written in the language of mathematics,' emphasizing the importance of mathematical language in scientific inquiry.

Thought Experiment

A hypothetical situation created to illustrate a concept or to explore the implications of a theory when actual experimentation is not possible.

Inclined Plane

A flat surface tilted at an angle used by Galileo to study the motion of falling objects and to measure time based on water flow.

Geocentrism vs Heliocentrism

Geocentrism is the belief that the Earth is the center of the universe, while heliocentrism is the belief that the Sun is at the center, as proposed by Copernicus and supported by Galileo.

Church's Opposition to Galileo

The Catholic Church initially tolerated some of Galileo's findings but became increasingly intolerant due to perceived threats against geocentrism and Protestant heresies.

House Arrest

After his condemnation by the Church, Galileo was placed under house arrest for his defense of the Copernican theory and for mocking Aristotelian views.