Galileo Galilei was an influential Italian scientist and an expert in astronomy, physics and philosophy.
  Early life
Galileo was born in Pisa, a city of Italy, in 1564. His father was a music teacher and a famous musician. Galileo was an excellent student and wanted to become a doctor.
  Achievements
Later, however, he studied philosophy and mathematics and became a professor of mathematics in 1592. He used scientific methods to do experiments. For example, he studied the speed of objects falling from the Leaning Tower of Pisa and proved that traditional beliefs were wrong.
In 1609, Galileo made many astronomical discoveries and became famous. He first heard of an invention of a telescope from Holland. Then he improved the design of the telescope and began to use it to view the planets. He saw mountains and valleys on the surface of the moon. He also saw sunspots and four largest moons of the planet Jupiter.
  Imprisonment
In 1614, Galileo supported the Copernican theory and believed that the Sun was at the centre of the solar system. Although everyone supports the theory today, it was a different idea at that time. The Church was powerful at that time and considered his idea as heresy. He was even stopped from teaching these theories.
In 1632, he published a book called "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems" to explain the arguments for and against the Copernican theory. He was accused of heresy by the Church again. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and also forced to withdraw his support for the theory.
  Death
When Galileo was under house arrest, he published another book "Two New Sciences" in 1638. He was named the "father of modern physics" because of this book. However, he went blind since then and died in 1642 at the age of 77.
      Other information
The Copernican Theory is a theory introduced by a Polish astronomer called Nicolaus Copernicus. His study led to his theory that the Sun is the centre of the universe, and the planets orbit around it.

Suggested answers

Year: 1592
did experiments to test the traditional beliefs

During the time of Galileo, people studied the works of classical philosophers and believed them to be true. However, Galileo tested the principles by doing experiments.

One traditional belief was that if you dropped two items of different weights, the heavier would land first. Galileo tested the idea by going to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was found that balls with different weights landed at the same time.

Year: 1609
improved the design of telescopes

Galileo heard of an invention from Holland called the telescope that enabled the user to see objects from far away. So he built his own telescope. He made improvements to the telescope and began to use it to see the planets.

Year: 1614
supported the Copernican theory

Copernicus was an astronomer who lived in the early 1500s. He came up with the idea that the Sun was the centre of the universe. However, most people thought that the Earth was the centre at that time. Galileo began to study Copernicus’ works and felt that his observations of the planets supported the view that the Sun was the centre.

Year: 1638
published the book "Two New Sciences"

Galileo promoted the ideas on the laws of motion and the principles of mechanics in the book. He was then named "father of modern physics".

Suggested answers

Suggested answers

What kind of job did Galileo’s father do?
a musician
How did Galileo study the speed of objects falling from the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
He did scientific experiments.
What could Galileo’s telescope be used to see?
all of the above
Why was Galileo in prison?
His ideas were different from those of most people.

Part C

Complete the crossword puzzle below to revise the new vocabulary items you have learnt.

Down
1. the study of the Sun, stars, planets, and other natural objects in space
3. the outside/outer part of something
4. It is a way of thinking about the world, the universe and society.
8. an extremely large, round mass of matter, such as Earth or Mars, that moves around the Sun or another star
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Across
2. the study of matter and energy
5. a teacher especially at a college or university
6. the act of putting someone in prison as a punishment
7. a reason why you support or oppose an idea or suggestion
9. print and release a book for public sale