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Scientific Revolution

Definition

The Scientific Revolution was a period of significant change in thought and understanding about the physical universe during the 16th and 17th centuries. It marked a shift from religious, philosophical explanations to empirical observation and experimentation.

Analogy

Think of the Scientific Revolution like upgrading from an old flip phone to a modern smartphone. Before, we were limited in our understanding and capabilities (like being only able to call or text on a flip phone). But with the advent of the Scientific Revolution, it's as if we've suddenly gained access to countless apps that can do amazing things (like how scientists began using new methods to understand the world around them).

Related terms

Copernican Heliocentrism: This is the astronomical model developed by Nicolaus Copernicus which placed the Sun at the center of our solar system instead of Earth.

Galilean Invariance: A principle established by Galileo Galilei stating that laws of physics are same in all inertial frames. This was revolutionary because it contradicted Aristotelian belief that Earth was unique center for motion.

Newton's Laws of Motion: These are three fundamental laws proposed by Isaac Newton that describe relationship between a body and forces acting upon it, its motion in response to those forces. They form foundation for classical mechanics.

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Practice Questions (20+)

  • Who is credited with developing the heliocentric model of the universe during the Scientific Revolution?
  • Who is known for discovering the laws of planetary motion during the Scientific Revolution?
  • Which scientist is known for his experiments on gravity and developing the laws of motion during the Scientific Revolution?
  • Which invention during the Scientific Revolution greatly facilitated the dissemination of scientific knowledge?
  • Who developed the scientific method, a systematic approach to scientific investigation, during the Scientific Revolution?
  • Which scientist is known as the father of modern anatomy due to his groundbreaking work on the human body during the Scientific Revolution?
  • Who is known for his work on the circulation of blood and the functioning of the heart during the Scientific Revolution?
  • Who is known for his experiments on combustion and the identification of oxygen during the Scientific Revolution?
  • The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment led to a change in the established roles of:
  • Which of the following challenged the traditional Aristotelian view of the cosmos during the Scientific Revolution?
  • What idea was emphasized by the Enlightenment thinkers who were influenced by the Scientific Revolution?
  • How does the spirit of inquiry and skepticism towards authority in the Northern Renaissance mirror attitudes prevalent in the Scientific Revolution?
  • How did print culture help in promoting scientific thought during the Scientific Revolution?
  • How did the Scientific Revolution change the way Europeans viewed their relationship with the world?
  • Who was responsible for heliocentric theory during the Scientific Revolution?
  • Who advocated for heliocentric theory during the Scientific Revolution in the Renaissance era?
  • Who is credited with initiating the scientific revolution during the Renaissance period?
  • What broad shift largely influenced the Scientific Revolution in the 16th and 17th centuries?
  • Who spearheaded scientific advancements throughout the Scientific Revolution?
  • How did Galileo's scientific discoveries differ from those made by Copernicus during the Scientific Revolution?


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.