Scientists Timeline Flashcards
measures the earth’s circumference
Eratostenes 240 BC
used a telescope to observe that the moons of Jupiter appear to circle Jupiter. This evidence supports the heliocentric model and weakens the geocentric model of cosmos
Galileo Galilei 1609
author of the Skeptical Chemist, used an air pump to determine the inverse relationship between pressure and the volume of a gas. this relationship came to be known as name’s law
Robert Boyle 1660-1662
used a microscope to observe cells which he describes in his book Micrographia
Robert Hooke 1665
the “father of microbiology” discovers microorganisms which he originally named “animalcules”
Anton van Leeuwenhoek 1674-1676
made the first quantitative estimate of the speed of light by timing motions of Jupiter’s satellite Io with a telescope
Ole Romer 1676
suspends a bowl of water above a beer vat at a brewery and synthesizes carbonated water. he is better known for discovering dephlogisticated air (oxygen)
Joseph Priestly 1767
determines that oxygen combines with materials upon combustion thus disproving phlogiston theory
Antoine Lavoisier 1783
determines that chemical reactions in a closed container do not alter total mass. from these observations he established the law of conservation of mass
Antoine Lavoisier 1789
tests his hypothesis for the protective action of mild cowpox infection for smallpox, the first vaccine
Edward Jenner 1796
used a torsion bar experiment to measure the density of the earth. he is also known as the discoverer of hydrogen
Henry Cavendish 1798
used the double-slit experiment to demonstrate the wave particle duality of light
Thomas Young 1801
used electrolysis to isolate elements potassium, sodium, calcium, strontium, barium, magnesium, and chlorine
Humphry Davy (187-1810)
studied reactions among gases and determined that their volumes combine chemically in simple integer ratios
Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac (1809)
discovers the connection of electricity and magnetism by experiments involving a compass and electric circuits. this is later termed electromagnetism
Hans Christian Orsted 1820
studied very small pollen particles in water under the microscope and observes Brownian motion which was later named in his honor
Robert Brown 1827
synthesizes the organic compound urea using inorganic reactants disproving the application of vitalism to chemical processes
Fredric Wohler 1828
measured the rates of effusion for different gases and establishes Graham’s law of effusion and diffusion
Thomas Graham 1833
arranged to have trumpets play from a passing train. the ground observed pitch was higher than that played when the train was approaching then lower that as the train passed and moved away demonstrating the name Effect
Christian Doppler 1845
name pendulum is first exhibited. it demonstrates the Coriolis effect and the rotation of the Earth 1851
Leon Foucault 1851
his experiments with the garden pea led him to surmise many of the fundamental laws of genetics (dominant vs recessive genes, the 1-2-1 ratio, etc). his work is best summarized with the Law of Segregation and the Law of Independent Assortment
Gregor Mendel 1856-1863
used S-shaped flasks to prevent spores from contaminating broth, disproving the theory of Spontaneous Generation (also known as abiogenesis). This experiment was an extension of the rancid meat experiement of Frencesco Redi
Louis Pasteur 1861
discovered a voltage across a conductor with a transverse applied magnetic field, the name Effect
Edwin Hall 1879
saved Joseph Meister after the 9 year old was bitten by a rabid dog. this was the first successful vaccine against rabies
Louis Pasteur 1885
