Project description
Most of these questions will require doing research/reading outside of the course material. That’s one of the essential points of homework. <br />
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Aristotle assumed the Universe was infinite in extent and age. What are the logical physical/observational problems with the Universe being of infinite age? <br />
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Describe some of the necessary assumptions needed for Erasthosenes method to work. Although this method produced a reasonably accurate measure of the size of the Earth, what do you think the major sources of error might be? <br />
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Even thought the Ptolemaic model is completely incorrect, it remained as the established model for about 1800 years. Briefly discuss why you think this model was so widely accepted that no one questioned it for centuries. <br />
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Explain how Galileo’s observation of the phases of Venus implied (in fact almost proves) that the Sun must be at the center of the Solar System. <br />
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Explain the difference in cultural conditions in the time of Nicholas of Cusa compared to Bruno which lead to the latter being burned at the stake even though he mostly just re-iterated what Cusa had said.

Most of these questions will require doing research/reading outside of the course material. That’s one of the essential points of homework.
1.    Aristotle assumed the Universe was infinite in extent and age. What are the logical physical/observational problems with the Universe being of infinite age?

2.    Describe some of the necessary assumptions needed for Erasthosenes method to work. Although this method produced a reasonably accurate measure of the size of the Earth, what do you think the major sources of error might be?

3.    Even thought the Ptolemaic model is completely incorrect, it remained as the established model for about 1800 years. Briefly discuss why you think this model was so widely accepted that no one questioned it for centuries.

4.    Explain how Galileo’s observation of the phases of Venus implied (in fact almost proves) that the Sun must be at the center of the Solar System.

5.    Explain the difference in cultural conditions in the time of Nicholas of Cusa compared to Bruno which lead to the latter being burned at the stake even though he mostly just re-iterated what Cusa had said.