The great contribution of Nicholas Copernicus was to __.
1 discover the law of gravity
2 prove that the Earth is not the center of the universe
3 discover the laws of planetary motion
4 create a detailed model of our solar system with the Sun rather than Earth at the center
Scientific thinking is __.:
an ancient mode of thinking first invented in Egypt
a difficult process that only a handful of people can do well
based on everyday ideas of observation and trial-and-error experiments
completely different from any other type of thinking
The correct answer and explanation is:
Answers:
- 4. Create a detailed model of our solar system with the Sun rather than Earth at the center.
- Scientific thinking is: based on everyday ideas of observation and trial-and-error experiments.
Explanation:
Question 1: The Contribution of Nicholas Copernicus
Nicholas Copernicus (1473–1543), a Renaissance-era polymath, is most famous for his revolutionary work in astronomy. His primary contribution was the formulation of the heliocentric model of the solar system. This model, detailed in his seminal work De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres), posited that the Sun, not the Earth, was at the center of the solar system. This overturned the long-standing geocentric model established by Ptolemy, which placed Earth at the center.
While Copernicus’s heliocentric model wasn’t entirely accurate (it still used circular orbits rather than elliptical ones), it laid the foundation for modern astronomy and influenced later scientists like Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton. This model challenged the prevailing religious and philosophical beliefs of the time and marked a critical shift toward scientific inquiry based on observation and mathematics.
Question 2: Scientific Thinking
Scientific thinking is not an esoteric process reserved for experts; rather, it is rooted in everyday reasoning and experimentation. It involves observation, hypothesis formulation, testing, and drawing conclusions—steps often mirrored in simple trial-and-error methods used in daily life. For instance, troubleshooting why a light bulb isn’t working often involves checking for power, replacing the bulb, and testing again—essentially a scientific approach.
This approach emphasizes skepticism, critical thinking, and empirical evidence. Unlike ancient mystical or speculative thinking, scientific thinking relies on testable and repeatable observations. By building on simple observations and refining ideas through experiments, scientific thinking enables anyone, from children to professional scientists, to engage in discovery and innovation.