Galileo Galilei was a primary scientist of the Renaissance who not only represented a huge transformation in the field of astronomy, but also took leading roles as a mathematician and physicist. Born on February 15, 1564 in Pisa, Italy, Galileo grew up as the eldest son of Vincenzo Galilei and Giulia di Cosimo Ammannati in a renowned Florentine family of minor nobility. After entering and dropping out as a medical student at the University of Pisa, he began to study mathematician and physical sciences in order to pursue science. As Galileo went through this process, he wrote works that gained him a reputation as a mathematician and nature philosopher, or physicist. Later, Galileo taught mathematics at different universities, including the University of Pisa and the University of Padua. Galileo had three children with his lover, Marina Gamba, but they were all unfortunately born out of wedlock. Galileo Galilei died on January 8, 1642 at the age of 78.
Introduction to the Scientific Revolution: Video
Advancements
Galileo’s advancements improved upon science, math, and philosophy. These include:
Idea that mathematically based physics are compatible with helicentrium.
Law of falling bodies
Idea of uniform acceleration
Made first steps towards formulating the principle of inertia. d
Discovered moons of Jupiter and phases of Venus
Built one of the first telescopes
Improved telescope by making it magnify 3 times as much as before
Invented scientific method
Observed sunspots
Demonstrated the laws of projectiles
Developing ideas on motion
Demonstrated laws of equilibrium and principle of virtual velocities
Identified principle of flotation
Inventing a thermometer
Proved Copernicus's theory that the Earth revolves around the sun
the works of Galileo
Galileo's sketch of the changing positions of the moons from night to night. Galileo spent years theorizing the position of moons in relation to planets and the sun.
Supplemental Activity
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