HUNTER COLLEGE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

Science 101 - Foundations of Science

Fall 2000

ESSAY TOPIC 2 Early Models of the Universe

DATE DUE: Wednesday, 4 October

(To be submitted at lecture)

Only papers submitted on this date and time will be eligible for revision.

LENGTH: Approximately 1200 words. The paper must be typed. Use at least 1 inch margins and double space. Hand-written papers will not be accepted.

REVISION: If the paper is submitted when due (see above), it will be returned to you on Wednesday, 11 October (note change of date). If you choose, you will then have until Wednesday, 18 October to prepare a revised version to be submitted for regrading. For regrading, please submit both the original version and your revision. This grade will count up to 10 points toward the determination of your final grade. Papers submitted after 4 October will be graded without the opportunity of being revised, and will be subject to a penalty if submitted after 18 October.

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CONTEXT: The emphasis of the course so far (through Lecture 11 and Chapter 9) has directed your attention to observations and models, and the differences in approach that may motivate the construction of models. In this essay you are asked to integrate your thoughts in these areas.

TOPIC: Write an essay* in which you discuss our use of the word "model" and identify three models (proposed after 400 BC) which have been considered in this course. For each, (i) associate it with the name of the person who proposed it, (ii) provide a brief account of what "problems" or observations it is dealing with, and (iii) discuss whether it is designed to account for particular observational evidence ("empirical") or based on reasoning from some ideal ("speculative"). For one of these, show how the model solves the problem or accounts for the observations.

Feel free to include mention of relevant observations which are not accounted for. If appropriate, diagrams of the model may be used. (Remember, while a picture may be worth a thousand words, it cannot be used instead of them. The words are what are important in conveying meaning.)

* An essay should be a coherent discussion of an idea; it is not enough to give brief sentences or paragraphs directed to each of the points noted. The essay should include a title that gives you a focus, an introduction that sets your theme, a body that develops your ideas, and a conclusion that ties your thoughts together. Also, while you have your text as a reference, and there is no need to consult the library, your essay should be in your own words, not quotes from the text or any other reference. If for some point you do use quotes, you should use "", and cite the source.