Lesson 1: Importance of physics to society
Video Lesson
Competencies (MLC)
Dear learner,
At the end of the lesson you will be able to:-
- Explain the importance of physics to society
- Discuss about physics communities and their roles. Such as physical societies (Ethiopian Physical Society), Notable
Physicists. - Discuss how scientific knowledge (especially physics) is constructed.
- Discuss the roles that the learning of physics plays to the individual intellectual satisfaction.
- List at least five recent new developments or discoveries in the fields of physics.
Brainstorming question
- What is the benefit of physics for society?
- What are the technologies directly related to physics that benefit society?
Key Terms and Concepts
- Fundamental Knowledge
- Technological Infrastructure
- Human Capital
The basic principles and theories that form the foundation of understanding in a scientific field. In physics, this knowledge is essential for driving future technological advances and innovations
The physical and organizational structures, facilities, and systems needed for the operation and advancement of technology within a society. Physics contributes to the development and maintenance of this infrastructure.
The skills, knowledge, and experience possessed by individuals, particularly those in the fields of science and engineering, which are critical for a country’s economic growth and development. Investing in human capital involves education and training in these areas.
- Interdisciplinary Understanding
- Medical Applications
The ability to integrate and apply knowledge from multiple scientific disciplines to enhance the understanding and advancement of various fields. Physics plays a crucial role in enriching our comprehension of earth, agricultural, chemical, biological, environmental sciences, astrophysics, and cosmology.
The practical use of scientific principles and technological advancements in the field of medicine. Physics provides the foundational understanding necessary for developing medical instrumentation and techniques, such as computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasonic imaging, and laser surgery.
Some Importance of physics to society
- Physics is one of the sciences that generate fundamental knowledge needed for the future technological advances that will continue to drive the economic engines of he world.
- Physics contributes to the technological infrastructure and provides trained personnel needed to take advantage of scientific advances and discoveries.
- Physics is an important element in the education of chemists, engineers and computer scientists, as well as practitioners of the other physical and biomedical sciences.
- The future of any country and its contribution to the global economy is linked to its ability to develop its human capital in the field of science and engineering. Through its scientists and engineers, it is able to develop infrastructure for trade and industry.
- Physics extends and enhances our understanding of other disciplines, such as the earth, agricultural, chemical, biological, and environmental sciences, plus astrophysics and cosmology subjects of substantial importance to all peoples of the world.
- Physics can play an important role in developing strategies to combat climate change, in the development of cleaner energies, and in the development of technological advancements.
- Physics improve sour quality of life by providing the basic understanding necessary for developing new instrumentation and techniques for medical applications, such as computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, ultrasonic imaging, and laser surgery