PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Laws of Physics
NAME: DATE:
ACTIVITY 1
Identification. Describe the contributions of the following scientist in the study of the Earth.
1. Johannes Kepler -
A German astronomer and mathematician, Johannes Kepler, discovered that the Earth and planets
revolve around the Sun in elliptical orbits. Kepler came up with three fundamental laws of
planetary motion. Kepler argued that gravity is caused by two bodies, not one and that the moon,
as a result, is responsible for the movement of the Earth tides. Moreover, he calculated
astronomical tables directly to date, and their continued accuracy contributes greatly to the
discovery of heliocentric astronomy (Rudolphine Tables, Ulm, 1627). Johannes Kepler, who gave
the three major laws of planetary motion, was designated as follows: (1) the planets moves in
elliptical orbits and the Sun at the same time; (2) the time required to cross any arc of the
planetary orbit is equal to the area between the central body and the arc (the "area law"); and (3)
there is an exact relationship between the squares of the planets’ periodic times and the cubes of
the radii of their orbits (the “harmonic law”). Kepler himself did not call these findings “laws,” as
would have been the custom after Isaac Newton took it upon himself to adopt a completely new
and completely different set of common principles. He viewed them as celestial beings who
reflect the divine nature of the universe. The discovery of Kepler transformed Nicolaus
Copernicus's solar system into a dynamic universe, with the Sun striking the planets around
orbits. And it was Kepler's theory of astronomy that prepared a new problem for some of the
world's greatest 17th-century planetary builders, the most famous of whom was Newton.

2. Tycho Brahe –

Tycho Brahe was a Danish astronomer who pioneered the development of astronomical
instruments as well as the measurement and fixation of the position of stars, open the way for
future discoveries. Brahe was born on the Danish peninsula, and he was a well-known
astronomer, astrologer, and alchemist throughout his lifetime. Tycho Brahe carefully observed
the stars and the planets. His study of the “new star” that appeared in 1572 showed that it was far
from the Moon and was among the fixed star, considered to be perfect and unchanging.
Brahe built an observatory in Prague where he followed the movements of the planets and
maintained the most accurate view of the solar system at that time.
Brahe created a precise mathematical table that astronomers have used for centuries. Also, Brahe
correctly determined the positions of a thousand fixed stars. He published Introduction to the
New Astronomy in 1588, which included a study of comets and his planetary system.
Second, Tycho Brahe was able to show that scientific research is about more than just intellectual
capacity; it is also about the development of instruments and apparatus that can help scientists'
thinking and strengthen a limited measure of human observation. Brahe made a catalog of more
than 1000 stars. He also proved that comets were not just part of the Earth's atmosphere, instead a
real object moving in space. Brahe showed irregularities in the Moon orbit and found a new star
in the construction of Cassiopeia.
 PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Laws of Physics
3. Aristotle –

Aristotle that lived between 384 and 322 BC, thought the Earth was round. Aristotle believed
that the Earth was the center of the universe, with the Sun, Moon, planets, and all the stars
orbiting it. The Greeks of Aristotle's day widely accepted his theories. He also estimated the
Moon's distance from the Earth. When the Earth was in transition and flux, the heavens stayed
unchanged. Aristotle proposed that the heavens were made of a fifth substance, the quintessence
and that the heavens were a place of perfect spherical motion. Aristotle examined the nature of
matter, space, time, and movement. He had few experimental tools and could not measure time or
speed. So, Aristotle did not allow himself to be influenced by unseen forces, so he reasoned that
he should not involve gravity. Things fell to Earth, and the Moon revolved around the Earth
because that was its nature. He proved that infinite linear movements and voids could not exist on
Earth. Without them, he could not escape the realities of the real world or fully understand the
inertia. Aristotle proved that the Earth is spherical. During the eclipse, he saw that the Earth's
shadow on the Moon formed an arc. That was incomprehensible because the disk could have
created the same shadow. The Moon phases and appearance during the eclipse indicate that it is a
sphere, and so is the Earth. When one goes to the horizon, the horizon falls; and, when one moves
north or south, various stars appear. All the elements of the Earth fall to Earth in such a way that
they are as close to Earth as possible. A sphere is a shape that allows this since it has the smallest
surface area for a given volume. Given all of the proof, the Earth must be a sphere. Interestingly,
the extension of that final argument is used today to explain mountain erosion, landmass, droplet
formation, and why the moons, planets, and stars are spheres. Aristotle concluded that since all
things tend to be drawn toward the center of the Earth or revolve around it, then the Earth must be
the center of the Universe. The Moon and planets surround the Earth in circular orbits, but they
must travel in circles within circles to expound the variation observed in their orbits.
Furthermore, the stars are fixed spheres that rotate around the Earth, and the Universe must be
finite, or else the stars on the edges would have to travel at an infinite speed.

4. Ptolemy –

The concepts behind the maps were Ptolemy's greatest contribution, not the maps themselves. He
provided three different mapping methods and provided coordinates to all of Ptolemy's known
geographical features, totaling over 8,000 locations. He also invented the concept of latitude and
longitude, which is still commonly used in maps today. Longitude was measured from the Canary
Islands off the coast of Spain, the westernmost landmass known to date, while latitude was
measured horizontally from the equator. Ptolemy recorded longitudes and latitudes in degrees for
roughly 8,000 locations on his world map, providing a comprehensive image of the inhabited
world as it was known to a Roman Empire resident at its height. Moreover, Ptolemy established
not only a map of the known world but also the universe. He believed that the Earth was the
center of the universe, and he made a map of it. The gazette was alluded to by Ptolemy, who
invented the latitude and the longitude. He was the first to put a grid system on a map and used
the same grid system across the entire planet. His set of place names and coordinates shows the
Roman Empire’s geographic knowledge in the second century.