Question

how were the contributions of nicolaus copernicus and galileo galilei to the scientific revolution different?
a. galileo relied on mathematics alone to prove his theories, while copernicus used his own observations to support his conclusions.
b. galileo focused on solving practical problems on earth, while copernicus was interested in studying the movement of the stars.
c. galileo used more advanced technology to find stronger observational evidence than copernicus was ever able to provide.
d. galileo was a devout catholic who supported a more active scientific role for the church than copernicus preferred.

Explanation:

• Option A: Copernicus also used mathematics. His heliocentric model was based on mathematical calculations. So this option is incorrect.
• Option B: Copernicus was interested in the movement of the stars (he proposed the heliocentric model which involved the movement of celestial bodies including stars in a sense related to the Sun - centered system). Galileo was not just focused on practical problems on Earth. He made important contributions to astronomy (e.g., with his telescope observations of celestial bodies). So this option is incorrect.
• Option C: Galileo used a telescope (a more advanced technology at the time compared to the basic observational methods Copernicus had). His telescope - based observations (e.g., of the moons of Jupiter, phases of Venus) provided stronger observational evidence for the heliocentric model (which Copernicus proposed but with less direct observational proof). This option is correct.
• Option D: Galileo had conflicts with the Catholic Church (e.g., his trial for his support of the heliocentric model). He was not more supportive of an active scientific role for the church than Copernicus. Copernicus was also a church official but his work was more about the scientific model rather than church - science relations in the way described. So this option is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Galileo used more advanced technology to find stronger observational evidence than Copernicus was ever able to provide.