Contribution of Physics in Technology and Society Physics Notes
→ Contribution of Physics in Technology and Society:
Physics is making a tremendous contribution to the social progress of mankind and hardly any branch of science can sustain and progress without making use of the techniques of modern physics.
Physics is the most basic of all the sciences and it has played a very important role in the development of other sciences as Chemistry, Astronomy, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography and Seismology. Biological sciences have also been benifited by advancement in physics. Optical microscope and electron microscope has made it possible to see the structure of a cell.
Some of the applications in physics based on modern technology are:
- The discovery of electromagnetic induction by Faraday can be regarded as one of those great scientific discoveries, which have not only benefited the common man but have formed the basis of the technology.
- Radio, television, fax, wireless etc. are based on the propagation of electromagnetic waves. The study of satellites has made it possible to forecast weather very accurately.
- Discovery of X-ray has immense use in medical science.
- The discovery of nuclear fission has proved to be a tremendous source of energy. In nuclear power station and nuclear bombs, a large amount of energy becomes available due to conversion of mass into energy.
- Flight of aircrafts is based on Bernoulli’s principles.
- Conversion of heat energy into mechanical work has lead us to design diesel engine, petrol engine steam engine etc. These are based on the laws of thermodynamics.
Physics in relation to society:
The fate of society is intimately linked to physics. It is because, whatever is thought or discovered in physics, it immediately affects society. The advancement in the field of communication, such as telephone, teleprinter and telex enables us to quickly exchange messages between far off places. The radio and television have made it possible to instantly communicate with other parts of the world. Silicon chip technology has triggered the computer revolution, in last three decades of the twentieth century.
Microelectronics, lasers, computers, super conductivity and nuclear energy have brought about a profound change in the thinking and living style of the human beings.