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Traces the shift from traditional religious explanations of the natural world to observation and the scientific method.
Imagine being told that everything you see in the sky is a lie, and that the ground beneath your feet is actually hurtling through space at miles per hour. How would you prove it without a computer or a camera?
For over years, the Western world followed the Geocentric model, which claimed the Earth was the stationary center of the universe. This idea, supported by the philosopher Aristotle and the astronomer Ptolemy, fit perfectly with the Catholic Church's teachings that humans were the center of God's creation. However, in , Nicolaus Copernicus published a revolutionary idea: the Heliocentric model. He argued that the Sun, not the Earth, was the center of the solar system. Later, Galileo Galilei used a telescope to observe the moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus, providing the first physical evidence that Copernicus was right. This discovery didn't just change astronomy; it challenged the very foundation of how people understood truth.
Quick Check
What is the primary difference between the geocentric and heliocentric models?
Answer
The geocentric model places Earth at the center of the universe, while the heliocentric model places the Sun at the center.
Before the s, 'truth' was usually determined by ancient Greek texts or the Bible. Two thinkers changed this. Francis Bacon promoted Empiricism, the idea that knowledge must come from sensory experience and observation. He encouraged the Inductive Method, where scientists collect data first and then form a conclusion. Meanwhile, René Descartes focused on Rationalism, using logic and mathematics to find certainty. He famously stated, 'I think, therefore I am.' Together, their ideas formed the Scientific Method: a systematic way of observing, hypothesizing, and testing. This shifted the focus from 'Why does God do this?' to 'How does this work?'
Imagine you want to know if plants need sunlight to grow. 1. Observation: You notice plants in the shade look smaller. 2. Hypothesis: If a plant receives more light, it will grow taller. 3. Experiment: Place one plant in a closet and one in a window for days. 4. Data: Measure the height () of both plants. 5. Conclusion: Compare the results to see if your hypothesis was correct.
Quick Check
How did Francis Bacon believe scientists should reach conclusions?
Answer
Through observation, experimentation, and the collection of physical data (Empiricism).
Newton had to prove that the moon stayed in orbit because of the same gravity that makes an apple fall. 1. He calculated the acceleration of the moon toward Earth. 2. He compared it to the acceleration of an object on Earth (). 3. He realized the force decreases by the square of the distance (). 4. This proved that the universe follows predictable, mathematical laws rather than mysterious spiritual whims.
Which scientist was the first to mathematically propose that the Earth revolves around the Sun?
What does 'Empiricism' mean in the context of the Scientific Revolution?
The Catholic Church supported Galileo's findings because they proved the Bible was scientifically accurate.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to explain to a friend the difference between how a medieval person and a modern scientist would determine if a new medicine works.
Practice Activity
Find a household object (like a swinging pendulum or a falling ball) and try to write a 'Hypothesis' and 'Observation' for it using the Scientific Method.