Module 1 Flashcards
Science
a branch of study dedicated to the accumulation and classification of observable facts in order to formulate general laws about the natural world
Papyrus
a primitive form of paper, made from a long-leafed plant of the same name
Spontaneous Generation
The idea that living organisms can be spontaneously formed from non-living substances
James Clerk Maxwell
founder of modern physics
Thales
one of the first scientists
Galileo
collected much data in favor of the heliocentric system but was forced to recant belief in it
Ptolemy
proposed geocentric system
Einstein
had two theories of relativity and was big in quantum mechanics
Lavoisier
discovered the law of mass conservation
Darwin
destroyed the idea of the immutability of species
Democritus
Ancient Greek scientist who believed in atoms
Grosseteste
considered the first modern scientist
Copernicus
proposed heliocentric system
Aristotle
developed the idea of spontaneous generation
Newton
the single greatest scientist of all time
Mendel
determined how traits are passed on during reproduction
Joule
demonstrated the First Law of Thermodynamics
Dalton
he developed the first detailed atomic theory and became known as the founder of modern atomic theory
Bohr
he is best known for his model of the atom. It was named after him, and revealed many of the atom’s mysteries
1st Lesson from the history of science
We should support a scientific idea based on the evidence, not based on the people who agree with it. Belief in spontaneous generation and the Ptolemaic system lasted so long mostly out of respect for Aristotle and Ptolemy, not because of evidence.
2nd Lesson from the history of science
Scientific progress depends not only on scientists, but also on government and culture. Science stalled in the Dark Ages because there was little government and cultural support for it.
3rd Lesson from the history of science
Scientific progress occurs by building on the work of previous scientists.
