What Is The Relation Between Physics, Technology, And Society?

Science, technology, and society have always been intertwined. Science and society accelerated further as new technologies were invented and facts were discovered. For example, Alexander Graham Bell, a Scottish engineer and scientist, invented the first telephone with practical function. His invention gave science a new dimension and made communication easier. Similarly, when Newton gave his three laws, it introduced not only a new branch of Physics – Newtonian kinematics – but also improved societal thinking and perception. Therefore, with practical advancements over the years, society has improved a lot more rapidly than in the past. 

Science, technology, and society- a brief definition

Science 

Science is a structural and systematic study of the world and the behaviours of physics. It can help one acquire more knowledge about practical phenomena, discoveries, and inventions in an organised manner. Human minds orchestrate the techniques used for studies and research works. 

A scientific process involves the following stages: 

1. Listening and observing any event happening in nature. 
2. Adopting an idea about the event’s cause, the course followed, and its impact. 
3. Adopting a thought based on the ideation of the event. 
4. Conducting a research study for further exploration of scientific thought.
5. Mathematic and physical deduction support the theory. 

Studies of scientific matters give rise to technology and further develop society. 

Technology 

Technology is the prime source of practical advancements where an idea, theory, or mathematical expression is used in real life for creating a proper application. This concept bridges the gap between science and society. 

The flowchart of technology can be considered as: 

Scientific ideation ———–> Adoption of a theory ———–> Mathematical deduction or facts ———-> Discovery/ invention of a new technology or technological concept ———–> Improvement in the society 

Society 

The literal definition of society is groups of people where each member contributes toward practical advancements and shares a cordial relationship. As the industrial revolution brought a major scientific change in the world, it created three different societies described below:

Pre Industrial society

This is an era where the society consisted of scattered populations living over an area. The members of this society weren’t exposed to science and technology. They earned their living through hunting, pastoral farming, horticulture, and agriculture. The tools and equipment units used were handmade, like a wooden spear or a spiked land mower. 

Industrial society 

During the 18th century, new minds came to the forefront, and their research works introduced new concepts of Physics. With so many new inventions and discoveries, societal concepts accelerated, and people learned more about science and technology. This period gave rise to a technologically advanced era. 

Post Industrial society

Postindustrial society gave rise to technology and is therefore considered as the digital or information society. It is concerned with the ideation and adoption of information and scientific technology. People became eager to tap the undiscovered scientific pools and solve mysteries around them – be it through understanding how the earth was formed to the study of hydraulic forces on an aeroplane. 

 How did science studies give rise to technology?

Over the years, scientific studies have accelerated technology and led to practical advancements. Aggregating all the events relating to science with technology, it has been deduced that science has six major contributions toward technological findings and discoveries. 

1. Science paves the way for new ideas that can be used for technological advancements. 
2. Scientific studies can develop technologies and tools for better engineering designs.
3. Scientific research and instrumentation lead to practical advancements.
4. Research helps in the assimilation of skills and talents for technological advancements. 
5. Understanding the environmental and social impacts through development in technology and scientific research.
6. Creates a knowledge base to establish new concepts of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and other forms of scientific branches. 

Some prominent scientific and technological mentions

• In 1242, Roger Bacon described the formula for preparing gun powder. 
• In 1610, Galileo Galilei improved the telescope and proved the earth’s revolution around the sun.
• In 1752, Benjamin Franklin flew a kite and proved that lightning could generate electricity. 
• In 1756, James Watt invented the steam engine, a milestone during the industrial revolution.
• Guglielmo Marconi set up the first practical radio transmitting centre to send and receive the morse codes. 
• Around the 1960s, the electronic microchip was invented to solve humongous computers.
• ‘hurdles3; biologists proposed a proper structure of DNA molecules. 

Conclusion 

Practical advancements have become the main source of societal development and new inventions and discoveries in the technological field. Everyday research works lead to new ideas, adoption of theories, and deduction of mathematical concepts. For example, after discovering God’s particles, scientists have started their research to understand the creation of the universe. Similarly, space organisations worldwide are sending rockets and satellites to discover the secrets of different planets and the science that governs them. It is a technology that is helping world leaders to devise strategies for sustainable development and saving the environment. From all these events, it’s evident how science, technology, and society are interlinked.