Chapter #4 Solutions - Physical Science with Modern Applications - Melvin Merken - 5th Edition

 

1. What were Ptolemy’s main objections to a moving earth? Get solution

2. Explain the epicycle and deferent used by Ptolemy. Get solution

3. Discuss some connections between the “old physics” and the “old astronomy.” Get solution

4. Account for the fact that the Ptolemaic system reigned unchallenged for 1400 years. Get solution

5. What effect did Copernicus’ heliocentric (sun-centered) theory of the solar system have on humanity’s perception of itself and its place in the universe? Get solution

6. Did the “publish or perish” dictum apply to Copernicus? Explain. Get solution

7. What was Copernicus’ major contribution? Get solution

8. Explain the importance of Tycho’s conclusions about the comet of 1577 with respect to the Ptolemaic system. Get solution

9. Compare Tycho’s observatory, Uraniborg, with a modern research institute with which you are familiar. (Name the institute.) Get solution

10. Why is the method of parallax impractical for all but the closest stars? Get solution

11. How are “big science” and “little science” reflected in the careers of Tycho and Galileo? (Refer to Chapter 1.) Get solution

12. Give an example of the interplay of theory and observation from the works of Tycho and Kepler. Get solution

13. Why would Kepler’s discovery of the ellipse as the preferred curve for planetary motion be objectionable to supporters of Ptolemy? Get solution

14. A comet moves much faster when it is near the sun than when it is far away from it. Use Kepler’s second law to explain this fact. Get solution

15. The average distance of Jupiter from the sun is 5.20 AU. Determine the length of Jupiter’s year, using Kepler’s third law. Get solution

16. If the earth is farther from the sun in summer than in winter, is it moving around the sun faster in summer or in winter? Explain. Get solution

17. Which discoveries of Tycho and Galileo posed serious difficulties for the Platonic view of heavenly perfection? Get solution

18. In what respects do Tycho’s observatory and Galileo’s application of the telescope to astronomy illustrate an aspect of scientific progress? Get solution

19. What support did Galileo’s discovery of four of Jupiter’s moons lend to the Copernican theory? Get solution

20. List several discoveries that Galileo made with the telescope that met the objections to a moving earth. Get solution

21. Multiple ChoiceA. Ptolemy is known for his(a) invention of the telescope.(b) study of free-fall.(c) earth-centered model of the universe.(d) sun-centered model of the universe.B. Copernicus restated the(a) geocentric theory.(b) heliocentric theory.(c) theory of horizontal motion.(d) theory of relativity.C. Kepler discovered that planets travel in orbits that are(a) circular.(b) parabolic.(c) elliptical.(d) hyperbolic.D. Tycho Brahe(a) built an observatory.(b) discovered Mars.(c) invented the telescope.(d) did all of these.E. Galileo discovered(a) the moons of Jupiter.(b) the phases of Venus.(c) the rough nature of the moon’s surface.(d) all of these. Get solution