1. Heliocentrism:
- Polish mathematician and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus challenged the prevailing geocentric model of the universe, proposing that the Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun (heliocentrism) in his work 'On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres' (1543).
2. Laws of Motion and Gravity:
- English physicist and mathematician Sir Isaac Newton formulated the three laws of motion and the law of universal gravitation. His 'Principia Mathematica' (1687) revolutionized our understanding of mechanics, celestial motion, and the universe.
3. Calculus:
- Isaac Newton and German mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz independently developed the foundational concepts of calculus, a crucial mathematical tool for understanding continuous change.
4. Experimental Method:
- The Scientific Revolution emphasized systematic experimentation, observation, and rigorous analysis as the primary means of scientific inquiry.
5. Optics and Telescope:
- Dutch spectacle-maker Hans Lippershey invented the refracting telescope, revolutionizing astronomy. Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei made significant astronomical discoveries using his telescope, including the four largest moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus.
6. Circulation of Blood:
- English physician William Harvey published his groundbreaking work on the circulation of blood ('De Motu Cordis', 1628), describing how blood flows through the heart and blood vessels.
7. Microscopy and Cells:
- Dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, often regarded as the "Father of Microbiology," used single-lens microscopes to observe and describe microorganisms, cells, protozoa, bacteria, and sperm for the first time.
8. Botany and Plant Classification:
- German botanist Otto Brunfels and Flemish botanist Rembert Dodoens made strides in botany, publishing herbals and classifying plants based on their characteristics.
9. Chemistry and Alchemy:
- Alchemists during this period laid the groundwork for modern chemistry. German alchemist Hennig Brandt discovered phosphorus, and Robert Boyle conducted experiments on the properties of gases.
10. Scientific Societies:
- The Royal Society in London and the Académie des Sciences in Paris were established, fostering collaboration, communication, and the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
The scientific discoveries of the Scientific Revolution challenged traditional beliefs, transformed our understanding of the natural world, and paved the way for subsequent scientific advancements that have shaped modern science and our place in the universe.