Advanced Placement (AP) World History Practice Exam 2025 - Free AP World History Practice Questions and Study Guide

The work of Newton significantly contributed to the decline in adherence to the old scientific system, which was largely based on Aristotelian physics and the geocentric model of the universe. Newton's formulation of the laws of motion and universal gravitation provided a comprehensive framework that explained not only the motion of celestial bodies but also the principles of motion on Earth. His work synthesized previous findings, including those of Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo, and provided a mathematical basis for the physical world.

Newton's influential publication, "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy" (often referred to as Principia), established a scientific method that emphasized observation, experimentation, and mathematical analysis. This systemic approach contrasted sharply with the speculative and often philosophical nature of the old system, leading to its decline in favor of a more empirical framework. As such, the acceptance of Newtonian mechanics helped propel science into a new era, facilitating the shift towards modern physics and astronomy.