Chapter 6:

Early Views of
the Universe
Aristotle’s View of Motion
◦Aristotle, a Greek Philosopher,
categorized motion into two-
terrestrial and celestial.
◦Terrestrial Motion pertains to the
motion of any object on earth.
◦Celestial Motion refers to that any object
beyond earth.
Terrestrial Motion is classified as:
Natural Motion
Violent Motion
Alteration
Natural Motion
Determined by the nature of an object’s
composition.
Every object, which maybe composed of any
of the four terrestrial elements (earth, water,
air, and fire) tends to go back to its natural
places.
Natural Motion
For instance, a ball thrown up falls down
because it seeks its natural place- the ground.
Also, a ball is heavier than air so it will sink
through the layers of air.
A fire created on the ground moves up
because, as part of its nature, it seeks a higher
place than air.
Violent Motion
Happens when an object is acted
upon by any external force.
For example, the force applied in
shooting an arrow sets it in
motion.
Violent Motion
The Greeks believed that once the arrow
is no longer in physical contact with the
bow, a turbulent motion of the air is
created and pushes the arrow forward.
Air resistance opposes this turbulent
motion of air, slowing down the arrow
until it stops.
Alteration
Refers to a type of motion that
describes the qualitative change.
As an example, liquid water can
be turned into ice by removing
heat from the liquid water (its
cause).
Alteration
Liquid water can be turned into
steam by the application of the fire.
Alteration may also be considered as
what we know as chemical change
such as when flowers wither.
Earth’s
Motion
Diurnal Motion
Annual Motion
Diurnal Motion
Refers to the daily rising and
setting of the sun.
Annual Motion
Refers to the apparent motion of
the stars every year.
Precession of the
Equinoxes
The Precession of the Equinox is the ancient term for
the gradual change in the orientation of Earth’s axis.
Hipparchus measured the sidereal year, which refers to
the time it takes for the sun to return to the same point
relative to the fixed stars; and the tropical year, which is
the time it takes for the sun to return to an equinox.
END