Contribution of Physics to the development of modern society

(Applications of physics in a daily life)

Discoveries in physics have led to various inventions that influence our lives.

Electricity, motor vehicles, and electronics in general, are results of scientific

and technological advancement.

The study of how to control tiny particles like electrons and protons led to the

discovery of electronics which in turn led to the production of devices like

calculators and computers.

Other applications of physics which can be experienced in daily life situations

include the following:

1) At home

All tools and machinery that we use in our homes to simplify work are made by

applying different laws of physics. These include crowbars, hammers, door handles,

cutlery, hinges, and pulleys. For example, garden shear and sprayer are used when

working in a home garden.

Similarly, it would be difficult to get underground water to the surface without a pulley

system or water pumps. Pulleys are used for drawing water from wells by applying a

small force.

Physicists have reduced the cost of electricity by applying physics principles to design

and construct energy saving bulbs such as Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and Light

Emitting Diodes (LED).

2) In hospital

Various machines are used in hospitals for the diagnosis and treatment of various

diseases. These machines are designed and constructed using physics principles.

Such machines include diagnostic X-ray and ultrasound machines. In addition,

premature babies are nursed in incubators, Syringes and needles for administering

injections, feeding tubes and drip bottles, all apply physics principles.

Sources of energy

Some processes and machines help us to obtain energy for our daily use. These

machines make use of various laws of physics to give us different forms of energy. For

example, batteries, generators and solar cells.

Transport

Application of the laws of physics such as motion and frictional forces ensure

vessels used in transportation like aeroplanes, trains, ships, cars and bicycles can

move, brake and stop when necessary.

Figure below shows transport vessels which operate because the laws related to

friction, flotation, and balance are observed and applied accordingly.

Remember that, if these laws are disobeyed, ships sink and trains derail. Ships

and boats have refrigerators and air conditioners that function through the

application of the laws of physics.

Heat is removed from the fridges by the refrigerant and prevented from entering

the fridge by using insulating materials such as a rubber strip attached to the

fridge door.

Communication

Communication is important to human life as it keeps us informed of day-today

happenings.

Devices used in communication systems such as radio masts, telephones and

satellite dishes shown in Figure below, antenna and modems are used for

accessing the internet, television, and radio signals using physics principles.

Therefore, the knowledge of physics is essential in constructing these

instruments.

Short messages (SMS) through mobile phones, electronic mail (emails), and

fax messages from fax machines are also reliable means of communication. All

these are the results of the application of the principles of physics.

Figure below shows SMS, email and fax from the mobile phone, computer

display and fax machine.

Entertainment

Physics has enabled people to enjoy a variety of leisure activities as is evident in

exercise machines (Used for walking, running or climbing while staying at the

same place), bouncing castles, shown in Figure below and other sports and

electronics equipment’s. Inflated balloons and bouncing castles are used to

entertain children.

Music and pictures are recorded on tapes or compact disks commonly referred

to as CDs. They are then listened to or watched on television using a Visual

Compact Disk (VCD) player, Digital Video Disk (DVD) player or USB drive.

The recording process utilizes physics principles. Figure below shows a DVD

player and other accessories including Compact Disk.

Industry

Physics principles and laws have enabled industries to assemble, calibrate, and

use highly accurate instruments.

Physics can be applied in various industries such as construction,

manufacturing, and automobile industries.

Many instruments used in different industries apply the laws and principles of

physics in their operation. Examples of these instruments are, sawmills used for

cutting wood, cranes used for lifting heavy loads, and spanners used for

tightening and loosening nuts and bolts.

11.

In schools

In School equipment’s like computers, photocopy machines, printers, projectors,

language translating devices, telescopes, cameras, and binoculars, use the

knowledge of physics.

In addition, instruments and apparatus used in school laboratories are made

using the knowledge and skills acquired in physics.