Classical physics probably owes more to Galileo than to any other “natural philosopher”. Is it any wonder he’s one of my heroes?
Galileo lived from 1564 to 1642. He used experiments to understand kinematics. He learned how objects move, if not why. When the position of an object changes with time, we can say that the object moves with a certain velocity. If the velocity changes with time, we can say that the object is accelerating.
Galileo understood that gravity causes falling objects to accelerate. The longer an object falls, the faster it goes down toward the ground. He recognized friction and air resistance as forces that impede the motion objects would otherwise take.
He was an early champion of the scientific method. He used a telescope to make significant advances in observational astronomy. He discovered that Jupiter has at least four moons and that Saturn has rings.
While I admire Galileo for his willingness to let experiments guide his thinking, I am most impressed by his courage.
Before Galileo was born, Nicolaus Copernicus put forth a model of the planets with the Sun at the center. Previously, most people thought the planets revolved around Earth.
Galileo found evidence to support Copernicus’ heliocentric model. Although the powerful Catholic Church favored the geocentric view that put Earth at the center, Galileo vigorously defended the heliocentric model.
In 1933, the Church found Galileo “vehemently suspect of heresy”, and he was put under house arrest for the rest of his life.
I remain grateful for Galileo’s many contributions to science!
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