Geocentric Theory
in the middle ages, the earth-centered view of the universe in which scholars believed that the earth was an immovable object located at the center of the universe
Ptolemy
the Greek astronomer that expanded the geocentric theory in the second century AD
Scientific Revolution
a major change in European thought, starting in the mid-1500s, in which the study of the natural world began to be characterized by careful observation and the questioning of accepted beliefs
Heliocentric Theory
the idea that the Earth and the other planets revolve around the sun
Nicolaus Copernicus
Polish cleric and astronomer that studied planetary movements for more than 25 years that reasoned that indeed the earth and the other planets revolved around the sun
On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies
Copernicus' published findings, published on the last year of his life and set over his death bed
Tycho Brahe
Danish astronomer that carefully recorded the movements of the planets for many years.
Johannes Kepler
Brahe's brilliant mathematician assistant that concluded that certain mathematical laws govern planetary motion. One of these laws showed that the planets revolve around the sun in elliptical orbits instead of circles. His laws showed that Copernicus was
Galileo Galilei
An Italian scientist that built on the new theories of astronomy. He built his own telescope and used it to study the heavens in 1609
Starry Messenger
The book Galileo published which described the moon, sun, and planets.
Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems
The book Galileo published that presented the ideas of both Copernicus and Ptolemy, but clearly showed that he supported Copernicus'.
Scientific Method
a logical procedure for gathering and testing ideas
Francis Bacon
an English statesmen and writer believed that by better understanding the world, scientists would generate practical knowledge that would improve peoples' lives. He attacked Medieval scholars for relying too heavily on the works of Aristotle. He urged oth
Rene Descartes
Rather than experimentation, he relied on mathematics and logic to solve problems. HE believed everything should be doubted until proved by reason.
I think, therefore I am
The only thing he knew for certain was that he existed, because he wrote...
Isaac Newton
English scientist that helped to bring together breakthroughs of Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo under a single theory of motion
The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy
One of the most important scientific books ever written, written by Isaac Newton.
Zaharias Janssen
The first microscope inventor, a Dutch eyeglass maker
Anton van Leeuwenhoek
Dutch drapery merchant and amateur scientist that used a microscope to observe bacteria swimming in tooth scrapings. He also examined red blood cells for the first time
Evangelista Torricelli
One of Galileo's students that developed the first mercury barometer, a tool for measuring atmospheric pressure and predicting weather
Gabriel Fahrenheit
The German physicist that made the first thermometer to use mercury in glass. His thermometer showed water freezing at 32 degrees
Andres Celsius
A Sweedish astronomer created another scale for the mercury thermometer that had a scale that showed 0 degrees as the freezing point of water
Andreas Vesalius
dissected human corpses and published his observations
On the Structure of the Human Body
book published by Andreas Vesalius that was filled with detailed drawings of human organs, bones, and muscle
Edward Jenner
British physician that introduced a vaccine to prevent smallpox. He had used cowpox to produce the world's first vaccination.
Robert Boyle
Pioneered the use of the scientific method in chemistry. He is considered the founder of modern chemistry.
The Sceptical Chymist
Boyle challenges Aristotle's ideas with the idea that matter was made up of small primary particles that joined together in different ways. In this book he presents Boyle's law that explains how the volume, temperature, and pressure of gas affect each oth