Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Practice Exam 2025 - Free AEPA Practice Questions and Study Guide

The use of experiments to verify theories is significant because it marked a fundamental shift in the approach to scientific inquiry. This development embodies the essence of the scientific method, wherein hypotheses are tested through controlled experiments to gain empirical evidence. By the 17th century, the emphasis on experimentation began to differentiate science more clearly from philosophy and speculation, establishing a systematic way to validate or refute ideas. This method set the stage for future scientific advancements, allowing researchers to build on verifiable outcomes.

While the introduction of the scientific method and inventions like the telescope were crucial developments in this period, the priority given to experimental verification directly supports the framework of modern scientific practice. The invention of electricity, although important, emerged significantly later and was more a result of these experimental methods rather than a development of the early 17th century.