Ancient Cultures
Why was it important for many ancient cultures to keep track of time?
To aid in agriculture, religious events, and navigation.
What is a heliocentric model?
A model of the solar system with the Sun at the center.
What evidence did Galileo provide for the heliocentric model?
Phases of Venus and moons of Jupiter.
What is a common reason people cling to outdated theories?
Fear of change and cognitive bias.
True or False: Copernicus was the first to propose a heliocentric model.
False
Which culture used a 365-day calendar based on the Dog Star and flooding of a river?
Egyptians
What is a geocentric model?
A model of the solar system with the Earth at the center.
Why did it take so long to accept the heliocentric model?
Religious beliefs and the strong adherence to the geocentric model.
How does controversy impact scientific ideas?
It can hinder acceptance and progress of new ideas.
What concept of gravity existed before Newton?
Aristotle believed that objects fall due to their natural tendency to move toward their proper place.
What was a primary reason for keeping time in ancient societies?
Agriculture and seasonal changes.
What is the model of the universe proposed by Ptolemy?
A geocentric model where planets move in epicycles.
What evidence did Eratosthenes have that the Earth is round?
The shadow during lunar eclipses is circular.
Why might people resist accepting new scientific evidence?
Personal beliefs and societal influences.
Why did Ptolemy need to add epicycles to his model of the universe?
Planets appeared to be moving backwards (Retrograde motion)
How did ancient cultures relate timekeeping to agriculture?
They used it to determine planting and harvest seasons.
What is the geo-heliocentric model?
A model where the Earth is at the center, but the Sun and other planets also have their own orbits, combining elements of both geocentric and heliocentric views. Proposed by Tycho Brahe.
Who first determined the circumference of the Earth?
Eratosthenes
What fundamental shift did Einstein introduce in understanding gravity?
Gravity as the curvature of spacetime.
What are both Kepler and Newton known for developing?
Laws of motion
What astronomical events did ancient cultures use for religious ceremonies?
Solar eclipses, solstices, and equinoxes.
What did Kepler add to heliocentric models?
He introduced the concept of elliptical orbits.
What shapes did models of the solar system typically have before Kepler?
Circles
How did Galileo's advancements in telescope technology help his findings?
He could observe celestial bodies more clearly, providing evidence for heliocentrism.
What evidence do we have that the universe is expanding?
The observation of redshift in distant galaxies, indicating they are moving away from us.