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Islamic culture is the most advanced in the western world. Many
scientific and mathematical terms (eg "algebra" and
"algorithm") are of Arabic origin, reflecting their
roots in these early days of recorded science. The Islamic empire
is vast, and much of its success is down to trade and commerce.
Many countries become part of the Islamic empire and many others
trade with it, so there is an input to scientific ideas from many
different cultures including Iran, Turkey, India and China. The
Arabic language becomes a unifying factor allowing ideas to be
exchanged freely, and centres of learning and wisdom arise in
a number of places, including Baghdad, Al-Ma'mum and Cordoba in
Spain.
Many areas of science and mathematics move forward during these
years. Increasingly accurate astronomical observations are made,
and mathematics benefits enormously from the introduction of Indian
numerals - referred to today as Arabic numerals. With these numerals
great strides are made in solving equations (algebra), trigonometry
and numerical calculations.
Chemistry becomes an experimental subject at last, as does physics.
And health care is comprehensive, with doctors, hospitals and
even special care for the mentally ill.
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Adelard of Bath publishes his Questiones naturales,
an early study in scientific methods. He covers many topics learned
from the Arabs, including meteorology, optics, acoustics and botany.
The first mention in Chinese literature of a compass being used
for navigation at sea and, between 1150-59, the Chinese also develop
the first rockets. 
Bhaskara II, an Indian mathematician, modifies a 5th
century idea from Sanskrit writings to describe a wheel which
he claims will run indefinitely - an early perpetual motion machine.
Modern science tells us that such machines are impossible since
they conflict with laws which describe the behaviour of energy.
In England Robert Grosseteste experiments with mirrors
and lenses in an attempt to understand light and how rainbows
are formed.
In 1199 Alexander Neckam from St Albans writes De
naturis rerum ("On natural things") and makes the
first known Western reference to the magnetic compass.
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