Question

Copernicus's model of the universe differs from Ptolemy's because Copernicus believed

Answer 1

Answer:

Earth rotates on its axis and orbits the sun.

Explanation:

Ptolemy believed earth is stationary and is located at the center of the universe. Every celestial object moves around the earth.

It was easier to assume that the earth is not moving since it appears to be stationary to people dwelling on it and to assume that the celestial objects are actually rotating the earth since they appear to be moving.

This is the perfect example that looks can be deceiving. In the ancient times the circle is believed to be a divine shape since it is perfect and the two major celestial objects, the sun and the moon, moves in a circular path. But it turns out, not everything rotates the earth in circular orbit. So Ptolemy proposed nested circular orbits. Which was so complex and farfetched.

Copernicus, a student of Tycho Brahe, (remember Tycho Brahe is an advocate of geocentric theory) inherited Tycho brahe's records of the movements of mars. He could not explain the retrograde motion of mars within the limits of geocentric theory.

He then suggested to remove the concept of divinity, associated with the earth being the center of all universe and to treat earth like every other celestial object. He was the first ever radical who steered us on the right path. In his heliocentric theory, earth rotates on its axis and orbits the sun. This can explain the retrograde motion of mars very easily

Answer 2

Answer:

That the Sun was the center of the universe.

Explanation:

Ptolemy believed in geocentrism, which means that the Earth is the center of the Universe. This was also supported by Aristotle. Copernicus on the other hand believed in a heliocentric system, which proposes that the sun is the center of the universe.