AP European History Flashcards: The Scientific Revolution

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on The Scientific Revolution, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP European History.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Name the scientist who formulated the laws of planetary motion.

Answer: Johannes Kepler. Discovered that planetary orbits are elliptical, not circular.

Flashcard 2: Name the scientist who formulated the laws of planetary motion.

Answer: Johannes Kepler. Discovered that planetary orbits are elliptical, not circular.

Flashcard 3: Which invention did Evangelista Torricelli create?

Answer: Barometer. Measured atmospheric pressure and proved air has weight.

Flashcard 4: What was the main subject of study for Tycho Brahe?

Answer: Astronomy. Made precise observations that Kepler used for planetary laws.

Flashcard 5: Which discovery is Robert Boyle known for?

Answer: Boyle's Law regarding gas pressure and volume. At constant temperature, pressure and volume are inversely related.

Flashcard 6: What did Robert Hooke discover with his microscope?

Answer: Cells. First to observe and name the basic units of life.

Flashcard 7: What did Robert Hooke discover with his microscope?

Answer: Cells. First to observe and name the basic units of life.

Flashcard 8: Who is considered the 'father of modern chemistry'?

Answer: Antoine Lavoisier. Established chemistry as a quantitative science with precise methods.

Flashcard 9: Who is known for the principle of doubt and analytical geometry?

Answer: René Descartes. Combined mathematical reasoning with philosophical skepticism.

Flashcard 10: What was Nicolaus Copernicus's major contribution to astronomy?

Answer: Heliocentric model of the universe. Proposed the Sun, not Earth, as the center of the solar system.

Flashcard 11: Who is credited with the discovery of the circulation of blood?

Answer: William Harvey. Proved blood flows in a closed circulatory system.

Flashcard 12: What does Boyle's Law state?

Answer: Pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume. Mathematical relationship between gas pressure and volume at constant temperature.

Flashcard 13: Which invention by Galileo Galilei was crucial for astronomical observations?

Answer: Telescope. He improved the design, achieving up to 20x magnification.

Flashcard 14: Identify the law that states: 'Planets sweep out equal areas in equal times.'

Answer: Kepler's Second Law. Also known as the Law of Equal Areas in orbital mechanics.

Flashcard 15: Identify the key development in biology during the Scientific Revolution.

Answer: Detailed anatomical studies. Systematic dissection replaced reliance on ancient medical texts.

Flashcard 16: What did the scientific revolution challenge?

Answer: Geocentric model and traditional authorities. Replaced medieval reliance on Aristotle and church doctrine.

Flashcard 17: What is the significance of Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons?

Answer: Evidence against the geocentric model. Showed celestial bodies orbit other planets, not just Earth.

Flashcard 18: What did the Scientific Revolution emphasize over traditional beliefs?

Answer: Observation and experimentation. Shifted from ancient texts to direct study of nature.

Flashcard 19: What is Galileo Galilei known for in physics?

Answer: Kinematics and dynamics. Studied falling objects and projectile motion mathematically.

Flashcard 20: What did Andreas Vesalius contribute to during the Scientific Revolution?

Answer: Anatomy. Corrected ancient errors through detailed human dissections.

Flashcard 21: What is the significance of Kepler's First Law?

Answer: Planetary orbits are elliptical. Replaced the ancient assumption of perfect circular planetary paths.

Flashcard 22: What was William Harvey's contribution to science?

Answer: Circulation of blood. Proved blood flows in a closed loop through the body.

Flashcard 23: What does Boyle's Law state?

Answer: Pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume. Mathematical relationship between gas pressure and volume at constant temperature.

Flashcard 24: What is the significance of Kepler's First Law?

Answer: Planetary orbits are elliptical. Replaced the ancient assumption of perfect circular planetary paths.

Flashcard 25: Who formulated the three laws of motion?

Answer: Isaac Newton. Fundamental principles describing how objects move and interact.

Flashcard 26: Which book did Isaac Newton publish in 1687?

Answer: Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica. His masterwork establishing the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Flashcard 27: What is Isaac Newton's First Law of Motion?

Answer: An object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by an external force. The law of inertia - objects resist changes in motion.

Flashcard 28: Which invention by Galileo Galilei was crucial for astronomical observations?

Answer: Telescope. He improved the design, achieving up to 20x magnification.

Flashcard 29: What does the law of conservation of mass state?

Answer: Mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. Fundamental principle of chemistry based on careful measurements.

Flashcard 30: What was the main subject of study for Tycho Brahe?

Answer: Astronomy. Made precise observations that Kepler used for planetary laws.

Flashcard 31: What did the heliocentric model propose?

Answer: Sun at the center of the universe. Challenged the Earth-centered view of medieval cosmology.

Flashcard 32: Who is credited with the discovery of the circulation of blood?

Answer: William Harvey. Proved blood flows in a closed circulatory system.

Flashcard 33: What is the significance of Newton's 'Principia Mathematica'?

Answer: Foundation of classical mechanics. Unified terrestrial and celestial mechanics under mathematical laws.

Flashcard 34: Which philosopher is known for the phrase 'I think, therefore I am'?

Answer: René Descartes. Established rationalism and systematic doubt as philosophical methods.

Flashcard 35: Identify the law that states: 'Planets sweep out equal areas in equal times.'

Answer: Kepler's Second Law. Also known as the Law of Equal Areas in orbital mechanics.

Flashcard 36: What is the significance of Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons?

Answer: Evidence against the geocentric model. Showed celestial bodies orbit other planets, not just Earth.

Flashcard 37: Identify the key development in biology during the Scientific Revolution.

Answer: Detailed anatomical studies. Systematic dissection replaced reliance on ancient medical texts.

Flashcard 38: Identify the law of universal gravitation formula.

Answer: $F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$. Force depends on masses and inversely on distance squared.

Flashcard 39: What is the scientific method?

Answer: A systematic method of observation, measurement, and experiment. Replaced reliance on ancient authorities with empirical investigation.

Flashcard 40: What was Nicolaus Copernicus's major contribution to astronomy?

Answer: Heliocentric model of the universe. Proposed the Sun, not Earth, as the center of the solar system.

Flashcard 41: What is the principle of inertia?

Answer: An object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force. Newton's First Law describing objects maintaining their state of motion.

Flashcard 42: What did Johannes Kepler discover about planetary orbits?

Answer: They are elliptical. Contradicted the ancient belief in perfect circular orbits.

Flashcard 43: What was the primary focus of the Scientific Revolution?

Answer: Natural philosophy and empirical evidence. Emphasized direct observation over ancient philosophical speculation.

Flashcard 44: Which discovery is Robert Boyle known for?

Answer: Boyle's Law regarding gas pressure and volume. At constant temperature, pressure and volume are inversely related.

Flashcard 45: What is the formula for Newton's Second Law of Motion?

Answer: $F = ma$. Force equals mass times acceleration in mathematical terms.

Flashcard 46: What is the significance of Newton's 'Principia Mathematica'?

Answer: Foundation of classical mechanics. Unified terrestrial and celestial mechanics under mathematical laws.

Flashcard 47: What is the title of the book where Copernicus outlined his heliocentric theory?

Answer: De revolutionibus orbium coelestium. 'On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres' published in 1543.

Flashcard 48: What did Johannes Kepler discover about planetary orbits?

Answer: They are elliptical. Contradicted the ancient belief in perfect circular orbits.

Flashcard 49: Which book did Isaac Newton publish in 1687?

Answer: Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica. His masterwork establishing the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Flashcard 50: What is Isaac Newton's First Law of Motion?

Answer: An object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by an external force. The law of inertia - objects resist changes in motion.

Flashcard 51: Who is known for the principle of doubt and analytical geometry?

Answer: René Descartes. Combined mathematical reasoning with philosophical skepticism.

Flashcard 52: Which invention did Evangelista Torricelli create?

Answer: Barometer. Measured atmospheric pressure and proved air has weight.

Flashcard 53: Which scientist is known for his work on optics and light?

Answer: Isaac Newton. Demonstrated that white light contains the full color spectrum.

Flashcard 54: What is the scientific method?

Answer: A systematic method of observation, measurement, and experiment. Replaced reliance on ancient authorities with empirical investigation.

Flashcard 55: Which scientist is known for his work on optics and light?

Answer: Isaac Newton. Demonstrated that white light contains the full color spectrum.

Flashcard 56: What is Galileo Galilei known for in physics?

Answer: Kinematics and dynamics. Studied falling objects and projectile motion mathematically.

Flashcard 57: What did the Scientific Revolution emphasize over traditional beliefs?

Answer: Observation and experimentation. Shifted from ancient texts to direct study of nature.

Flashcard 58: What is the title of the book where Copernicus outlined his heliocentric theory?

Answer: De revolutionibus orbium coelestium. 'On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres' published in 1543.

Flashcard 59: Who formulated the three laws of motion?

Answer: Isaac Newton. Fundamental principles describing how objects move and interact.

Flashcard 60: What did Galileo's observations of Venus demonstrate?

Answer: Phases similar to the Moon, supporting heliocentrism. Venus shows phases only possible if it orbits the Sun.

Flashcard 61: Who developed the concept of the scientific method?

Answer: Francis Bacon. Promoted inductive reasoning and systematic experimentation.

Flashcard 62: Which principle did René Descartes contribute to mathematics?

Answer: Analytical geometry. Combined algebra and geometry using coordinate systems.

Flashcard 63: Who is considered the 'father of modern chemistry'?

Answer: Antoine Lavoisier. Established chemistry as a quantitative science with precise methods.

Flashcard 64: What did Andreas Vesalius contribute to during the Scientific Revolution?

Answer: Anatomy. Corrected ancient errors through detailed human dissections.

Flashcard 65: What did the scientific revolution challenge?

Answer: Geocentric model and traditional authorities. Replaced medieval reliance on Aristotle and church doctrine.

Flashcard 66: Which philosopher emphasized empirical evidence in scientific practice?

Answer: Francis Bacon. Advocated for inductive reasoning and experimental observation.

Flashcard 67: What does the law of conservation of mass state?

Answer: Mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. Fundamental principle of chemistry based on careful measurements.

Flashcard 68: What did Galileo's observations of Venus demonstrate?

Answer: Phases similar to the Moon, supporting heliocentrism. Venus shows phases only possible if it orbits the Sun.

Flashcard 69: What did the heliocentric model propose?

Answer: Sun at the center of the universe. Challenged the Earth-centered view of medieval cosmology.

Flashcard 70: What is the principle of inertia?

Answer: An object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force. Newton's First Law describing objects maintaining their state of motion.

Flashcard 71: What is the formula for Newton's Second Law of Motion?

Answer: $F = ma$. Force equals mass times acceleration in mathematical terms.

Flashcard 72: Which philosopher emphasized empirical evidence in scientific practice?

Answer: Francis Bacon. Advocated for inductive reasoning and experimental observation.

Flashcard 73: What was William Harvey's contribution to science?

Answer: Circulation of blood. Proved blood flows in a closed loop through the body.

Flashcard 74: Who developed the concept of the scientific method?

Answer: Francis Bacon. Promoted inductive reasoning and systematic experimentation.

Flashcard 75: What was the primary focus of the Scientific Revolution?

Answer: Natural philosophy and empirical evidence. Emphasized direct observation over ancient philosophical speculation.

Flashcard 76: Identify the law of universal gravitation formula.

Answer: $F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$. Force depends on masses and inversely on distance squared.

Flashcard 77: Which principle did René Descartes contribute to mathematics?

Answer: Analytical geometry. Combined algebra and geometry using coordinate systems.

Flashcard 78: Which philosopher is known for the phrase 'I think, therefore I am'?

Answer: René Descartes. Established rationalism and systematic doubt as philosophical methods.