Oct 2019

How Does Knowing Physics Benefit Humans In The World?

October 18, 2019

Do you ever wonder why schools teach you Physics? Or, why are you learning all those formulae and theories in physics tuition for sec 3? The fact is, Physics has a huge role to play in our lives. Not only does it help us understand how the physical world works, but also it equips us with the knowledge to develop new technology to improve our lives.

Most, if not, all of the conveniences we enjoy today, are owed to the workings of some Physics principles. To gain a better idea of how Physics has impacted and benefitted humankind, read on to find out more!

Weather forecast

Every time you watch the weather forecast, know that the information comes from the hard work of meteorologists around the world. While weather-related studies are often labelled as meteorology or geography, it in fact involves a huge amount of physics knowledge as well. Physics knowledge helps these scientists analyse the Earth’s structure and movements, and predict weather events like earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes. Weather predictions are crucial in the world as it can save lives by allowing people time to respond and evacuate before adverse weather events strike.

Transportation

The way we move from place to place is heavily informed by Physics principles. Take for example, cars or buses – the wheels that carry the vehicle is shaped as such because it enables stable and consistent motion. The mechanism for the car’s brake and accelerator are also based on Newtonian laws of motion. Aeroplanes take it a step further by incorporating theories of momentum and lift, allowing the vehicle travel in the air.

Quantum Physics 

One can argue that this is one of the most fascinating and mysterious fields in physics, and perhaps in all of science. It is concerned with tiny particles that humans cannot see, at the subatomic scale. At this minuscule level of the world, particles like photons and electrons do not behave according to rules of mechanics that we commonly know. For example, photons can supposedly travel in two directions at the same time. If you can’t wrap your head around that, you’re not alone. These are just some of the types of things that quantum scientists investigate.

Although there remains a lot about quantum physics we do not know, humans have been able to use our existing knowledge in technological advancements. Principles of quantum physics have allowed scientists and inventors to develop technologies such as lasers, computers, internet and phone networks, atomic clocks, GPS, and so much more. So, the next time you use any of these, you have quantum physics to thank.

Nuclear physics

The field of study related to the nucleus of the atom has received a great deal of attention in recent years. This is mainly because of the pursuit of nuclear energy – a form of clean and virtually limitless energy. While the road towards harnessing nuclear energy for daily use is still a distance away, nuclear physics already lives on in our lives in other technology.

Patients who receive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in the hospital are reaping the benefits of nuclear physics. The scanning technology was birthed from a discovery that an external magnetic field can alter the movements of atomic nuclei. As the nuclei return back to its normal state, it emits radio signal, which is what the MRI machine picks up and uses to turn into an image. Numerous other medical applications of nuclear physics exist, such as cancer diagnosis and radiation therapies, Alzheimer’s detection methods, and other body imaging techniques.

We’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg for how physics knowledge has contributed to society. If you look closer and think about it, physics principles can be seen everywhere. Are you excited to learn more? A physics tuition in Singapore will help you discover more about the workings of physics, and appreciate the science behind the things you enjoy every day.