Valentine Bargmann studied the central extension of an algebra named for this physicist that characterizes symmetries of the Schrödinger equation. Taking the limit as c tends to infinity in the Poincaré group produces a 10-dimensional group named for this physicist containing namesake “transformations” mapping “x” to “x minus v t.” It’s not Einstein, but this physicist deduced a principle of equivalence of inertial reference frames in (*) relativity with a thought experiment involving the detection of motion on a smoothly sailing ship. This physicist reportedly demonstrated the invariance of gravitational acceleration by dropping balls of differing masses from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. For 10 points, name this early physicist and astronomer whose espousal of Copernicanism led to his censure by the Catholic church. ■END■
ANSWER: Galileo Galilei [or Galileo di Vincenzo Bonaiuti de’ Galilei]
<JC, Physics>
= Average correct buzz position