Physics, Technology, and Society

New Technologies and Their Origin

Different technologies that answer our greatest dilemmas have begun to emerge throughout human history. From the camera to NASA’s telescopes are examples of the development of technology using physics.

Great inventions have been born out of the curiosity of people seeking to know more and solve great dilemmas. From science fiction ideas to reality, it only takes perseverance to make science turn the most complex inventions into reality.

Technology and Society, Physics 

Technology is inherent to man himself. Man became a thinking creature by his ability to construct, and in turn, this ability allowed him to facilitate life. Indeed, mankind introduced tools and improved tools as a result of evolution.

In the pursuit of improving and advancing society, we have developed, and come to depend on, the technology around us. Technological development depends on the sciences, especially physics. An invention becomes viable when the inventor’s idea aligns with the physical laws that govern the universe.

We have examples in all the technology around us, which is born to solve a need or improve on previous technology. For example, a previous technology was the telegraph, which was limited to transmitting one message at a time. Some inventors thought outside the box and saw a solution to communication using principles different from those of the telegraph. This is how the telephone was conceived. 

Technology and Physics

Physics is a science that studies matter, energy, and the different interactions that play a fundamental role in the development of technology and the progress of mankind. The examples of technology and science bringing benefits to society and solving great mysteries are endless. The development of technology has also involved challenging a preconceived idea about the limitations of physical law. For example, the physicist Ernest Rutherford was sceptical of the idea of being able to extract energy from atoms. However, this was challenging. Today we provide ourselves with energy from nuclear fission and we have also developed economical ways to make use of nuclear energy using fusion.

Energy Industry

Thanks to physics we can promote the saving of energy resources, looking for alternative sources and rational use of resources. From a green perspective, the science and its postulates on the conservation of matter and energy promote forms of circular economy, recycling, etc.

Some examples are the search for alternative, affordable and feasible forms of energy to fossil fuels. Thanks to the laws of physics, contemporary science promotes the transformation of geothermal and solar forms of energy into electricity.

Technology and Film

Science has helped to create new universes, even in entertainment. An example of this is the use of technology for special effects, or even to create alternate realities. 

Communications Industry

From the telephone to smartphones, creating the previously unthinkable interconnection between users. Science, technology, and society affect each other, leading them to develop and improve each other. Society influences technology, driving the development of certain devices that respond to the needs and desires of users. It is also true that technology can also advance science. 

Physics is a fundamental science because with physics we can explain various phenomena in our world. This does not mean that physics is more important because all sciences are relevant.

But what does it mean that physics is fundamental? It is called fundamental because it oversees explaining the interactions within the universe. In addition, physics is relevant for the development of other sciences.

Supporting Science in the Development of Technology

Seeking to promote the learning of physics can lead to progress in humanity and society at large. Some examples of how physics is beneficial to our society are listed below:

– Physics is a science that inspires the best intellectual innovations and allows us to push the boundaries of knowledge of the universe and nature. 

– Thanks to physics, knowledge and principles developed that are necessary for future economic and technological advances. 

– With the help of physics mankind can develop new infrastructures and develop a new technologically advanced working class.

– With the development of physics, sciences such as chemistry, engineering and computer science also have benefits. This means new professionals with expertise in pure and applied sciences. 

– Other disciplines such as earth sciences, agronomy, chemistry, life sciences, environment, as well as space sciences benefit from the advancement of physics. These sciences in turn are central to different peoples around the world.

-In the medical industry, science has allowed the development of new medical diagnostic and treatment technologies, which are based on the development of computation such as tomography, which is an application of physics.

Physics is thus central to the development of a better society and sophisticated technology. Once again, society drives technology and technology in turn broadens the horizons of science.