GUIDE TO READING NOTES 34

For each of Sections 34.3 to 34.7, read the section and answer the
questions.
34.3 Copernicus and Kepler: A New View of the Universe
1. What was Copernicuss theory about the sun and planets? How was
it different from what people believed before?
Copernicuss heliocentric theory proposed that Earth and the other
planets travel around the sun. Before, people had believed that the
sun and the other planets traveled around Earth.
2. What kind of evidence did Copernicus and, later, Kepler use to
develop and support this theory?
Copernicus and Kepler used mathematics and observations to
develop and support this theory.
3. Why do you think most people were unwilling to believe
Copernicuss theory?
Most people were probably unwilling to believe his theory because it
went against the Bible, Aristotles theories, and common belief.
34.4 Galileo and the Copernican Theory
1. What were some of the important discoveries Galileo made with
his telescope?
Galileo discovered that the surface of the moon is not perfectly
smooth, that Jupiter has moons traveling around it, and that Venus
passes through phases.
2. How did these discoveries help support the heliocentric theory?
These discoveries showed that moons travels around other planets,
so that Earth is not the only center of motion in the universe. They
also showed that Venus travels around the sun.
3. Why do you think church leaders felt so threatened by Galileos
support of the heliocentric theory?
Church leaders feared that attacks on the geocentric theory
could make people question the teachings of the church.

802 Lesson 34

GUIDE TO READING NOTES 34

34.5 Isaac Newton and the Law of Gravity

1. What was the basic idea behind Newtons law of gravity?
Newtons law of gravity said that all objects have a force of
attraction between them. The strength of the force depends on
the masses of the objects and the distance between them.
2. How did Newtons work support the earlier work of Copernicus,
Kepler, and Galileo?
Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo said that the planets revolve around
the sun; Newtons work explained why they do so.
3. Many historians consider Isaac Newton one of the three most
important figures in history. Based on what youve learned, would
you agree? Why or why not?
Answers will vary.

34.6 and 34.7 The Scientific Method and Key Inventions

1. What are the steps of the scientific method?
The steps in the scientific method are (1) state a question or problem; (2) form a hypothesis about the problem; (3) design and conduct
an experiment to test the hypothesis; (4) record data from the experiment; (5) analyze the data to determine if the hypothesis is correct.
2. What were some key scientific tools developed during the
Scientific Revolution?
The telescope, microscope, barometer, and thermometer were
developed during this time.
3. How important do you think these tools and the scientific method
are today? Explain.
Answers will vary.

The Scientific Revolution 803