Systems of Motion

The Great Debate

Physics has evolved as a system of identifying the patterns of nature.  One of the patterns identified in history is that of uniformly accelerated motion, or, "Why do things fall as they do."

The great debate involved several people, but the most important individuals for our purposes will be Aristotle and Galileo.

Your Task is to:

1. Research each individual's viewpoint on why things fall as they do.

2. Identify the strengths for the position

3. Identify the weakness in the position.

4. Determine why each position was accepted or rejected by people.

5. Identify the factors that caused people to not be able to see the underlying pattern.

6. Prepare a position paper stating Aristotle's and Galileo's theory of falling objects, and explain why cultural beliefs caused people to argue the two positions for centuries after the death of Galileo.

Requirements:

The paper is to be word-processed and must include all elements of proper writing techniques including a works-cited page using the MLA format.  (If you do not know how to use NoodleBib, please see Ms. Finlay!)  

Due:  October 12, 2006

Evaluation will use the following school wide rubrics: Critical Thinking;  Technology; Writing

Sources:

Physics Links  (Have you tried a search in PhysLink yet??  Probably the best gateway for Physics related information.)

  Access Science Database through MARVEL or VL

Give the search engine ZapMeta a try:

find Galileo and the Mathematics of Motion