The Science of Energy

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

big bang —the name given to the theory that all the matter and energy in the Universe originated in a sudden explosion outwards from a single point, about 15 billion years ago.

force —a power or agency that affects the movement or behavior of an object.

nous —the name the Greek philosopher Anaxagoras gave to the force he believed guided and ordered the behavior of the Universe.

physics —the study of the laws, or rules, that determine the behavior of the matter and energy in the Universe.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Using the Internet or your school library, do some research on one of the following ancient Greek scientists: Anaxagoras, Leucippus, Democritus,

TEXT-DEPENDENT QUESTIONS

1. What name did Anaxagoras give to the force that he believed would cause matter to move and change in certain ways? 2. What was the aim of Aristotle’s science of physics?

Plato, or Aristotle. Write a two-page

report on this person’s accomplishments, and present it to your class.

1 1 .