1.
At age twenty, Galileo noticed a lamp swinging overhead while he was in a cathedral. Curious to find out how long it took the lamp to swing back and forth, he used what to time the swings?
Correct Answer
C. Galileo's pulse
Explanation
Galileo discovered something that no one else had ever realized: the period of each swing was exactly the same. The law of the pendulum, which would eventually be used to regulate clocks, made Galileo Galilei instantly famous.
2.
To earn a living, Galileo Galilei started_________.
Correct Answer
D. Tutoring students in mathamatics
Explanation
He did some experimenting with floating objects, developing a balance that could tell him that a piece of, say, gold was 19.3 times heavier than the same volume of water. He also started campaigning for his life's ambition: a position on the mathematics faculty at a major university.
3.
Ironically, it was a lecture on _____________ that would turn Galileo's fortunes.
Correct Answer
lititure
Explanation
The Academy of Florence had been arguing over a 100-year-old controversy: What were the location, shape, and dimensions of Dante's Inferno? Galileo Galilei wanted to seriously answer the question from the point of view of a scientist.
4.
Where did Galileo perform the debate that started up on one of Aristotle's "laws" of nature, that heavier objects fell faster than lighter objects?
Correct Answer
A. The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Explanation
Galileo climbed up to the top of the building carrying a variety of balls of varying size and weight, and dumped them off of the top. They all landed at the base of the building at the same time (legend says that the demonstration was witnessed by a huge crowd of students and professors). Aristotle was wrong.
5.
What was Galileo's FIST invention WHEN HE NEEDED MONEY TO SUPORT HIS FAMILY?
Correct Answer
B. Thermometer
Explanation
Galileo's invention of the thermometer is the correct answer because it is well-known that he developed an early version of the instrument in the late 16th century. This invention is particularly significant in relation to the question's context of needing money to support his family because Galileo's thermometer gained popularity and was sold to generate income. Additionally, the thermometer was a practical invention that had various applications, making it a logical choice for someone seeking financial stability.
6.
Galileo Galilei was determined to attempt to construct his own ___________.
Correct Answer
Syglass
Explanation
After a frantic 24 hours of experimentation, working only on instinct and bits of rumors, never having actually *seen* the Dutch spyglass, he built a 3-power telescope. After some refinement, he brought a 10-power telescope to Venice and demonstrated it to a highly impressed Senate. His salary was promptly raised, and he was honored with proclamations.
7.
What was Galileo's observation on the Moon?
Correct Answer
B. Uneven, rough, and full of cavities and prominences.
Explanation
Galileo's observation on the Moon was that it was uneven, rough, and full of cavities and prominences. This means that he observed that the Moon's surface was not smooth, but rather had various irregularities and features such as craters and mountains.
8.
On January 7, 1610, he turned his 30 power telescope towards Jupiter, and saw?
Correct Answer
B. 3 Stars orbiting
Explanation
On January 7, 1610, he turned his 30 power telescope towards Jupiter, and found three small, bright stars near the planet. One was off to the west, the other two were to the east, all three in a straight line. The following evening, Galileo once again took a look at Jupiter, and found that all three of the "stars" were now west of the planet, still in a straight line!
Observations over the following weeks lead Galileo to the inescapable conclusion that these small "stars" were actually small satellites that were rotating about Jupiter. If there were satellites that didn't move around the Earth, wasn't it possible that the Earth was not the center of the universe?
9.
How did Galileo make his discoveries known to the public?
Correct Answer
A. He wrote a book
Explanation
Galileo made his discoveries known to the public by writing a book. This allowed him to document and explain his findings in a detailed and systematic manner, ensuring that his ideas reached a wider audience. By publishing his work, he was able to share his knowledge and contribute to the scientific community's understanding of the world.