The Scientific Revolution Timeline

Question 1

14th Century:

Answer 1

Humanists begin questioning medieval beliefs and seeking plausible explanations for natural phenomena.

Question 2

16th Century:

Answer 2

Emergence of universities in big cities, facilitating higher education and scientific inquiry.
1575: William of Orange founds the University of Leiden, promoting education in the northern provinces.

Question 3

17th Century:
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642):

Answer 3

Conducts groundbreaking astronomical observations and advocates for heliocentrism.
1610: Galileo observes moons orbiting Jupiter, supporting the heliocentric model.
1633: Galileo is tried by the Catholic Church for heresy and sentenced to house arrest.

Question 4

17th century

Christian Huygens (1629-1695):

Answer 4

Makes significant contributions to mathematics, physics, and astronomy.
Proposes wave theory of light and invents the pendulum clock.

Question 5

17th century

Isaac Newton (1642-1727):

Answer 5

Develops laws of motion and universal gravitation.
1666: Formulates laws of motion and calculus.
1687: Publishes “Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica” detailing his laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Question 6

18th Century:

Answer 6

Newton’s laws and scientific achievements continue to influence physics and mathematics.