The Scientific Revolution Test Flashcards
Why did William of Orange found the University of Leiden?
William of Orange founded the University of Leiden because the students of the northern provinces could not study in Leuven anymore. The city was controlled by the Spanish. Another reason for William was that he believed that the university would supply well educated men for the government.
What was special about the seventeenth century in terms of scientific discoveries?
The seventeenth century was known for new scientific discoveries and the rise of universities, leading to advancements in various fields of study.
What was the prevailing belief about natural phenomena before the fourteenth century?
Before the fourteenth century, the prevailing belief about natural phenomena was that everything was the work of God.
What is rationalism, and how did it differ from previous ways of thinking?
Rationalism is a way of thinking based on reasoning and logic, which started to emerge in the fourteenth century. It differed from previous beliefs that attributed natural phenomena solely to divine intervention.
Describe empirical thinking and how it changed scientific research in the seventeenth century.
Empirical thinking is the approach to scientific research that involves observation and experimentation to gather evidence and establish new scientific laws. It replaced earlier methods based solely on reasoning and logic.
Who was Galileo Galilei, and what were some of his important discoveries?
Galileo Galilei was an Italian scientist known for making improvements to the telescope and discovering that the Earth revolves around the sun (heliocentrism). He also observed planets and stars, challenging the prevailing geocentric view.
What did Isaac Newton discover about light and gravity?
Isaac Newton discovered that light splits into colors when passed through a glass prism and formulated the theory of gravity, which explains how objects attract each other. His laws of motion and universal gravitation are fundamental in physics.
Who was Christian Huygens, and what were some of his contributions to science?
Christian Huygens was a Dutch scientist who contributed to various scientific fields, including mathematics, physics, and astronomy. He proposed the wave theory of light, invented the pendulum clock, and made significant contributions to optics.
Explain the importance of the pendulum invention by Christian Huygens.
The pendulum invention by Christian Huygens was important because it enabled precise timekeeping, which was crucial for navigation at sea. This invention revolutionized time measurement and navigation.
How did the rise of universities in the sixteenth century contribute to the advancement of knowledge?
The rise of universities in the sixteenth century provided more opportunities for education and research, leading to the advancement of knowledge in various fields.
Why were Galileo Galilei and his ideas controversial during his time?
Galileo Galilei and his ideas were controversial during his time because they contradicted the geocentric view supported by the Catholic Church. His support for heliocentrism led to his trial and condemnation by the Church, which saw his ideas as heretical.
