Unit 3 – Everyday Science

Communication Technology
Most people can’t imagine a world of communication without technology. The amount of time and energy put into
sending the simplest messages before communication technology is more than can be described in 140 characters or
less.

Things are a bit different now. The incorporation of technology into different types of communication has made it
easier than ever to share information. Even though there are an overwhelming amount of gadgets, software, and
tools associated with communication technology, it is not uncommon for the modern day communicator to be an
expert at them all.

But if you’re not an expert, don’t fret! This guide to communication technology will lay out the basics that you need
to know to be a successful communicator in the age of technology.

What is communication technology?

Communication technology refers to all the tools used to send, receive, and process information. In today’s fast
climate, efficiency and convenience are the keys to successful communication technology.

Types of communication technology

Technology has reinvented the way people communicate. Originally simple devices have evolved
into communication channels that create connections worldwide. There are four main types of communication
technology that have contributed to the ease of sending messages: telephone, radio, television, and internet.

1. Telephone
The telephone revolutionized verbal communication. People can talk to each other from any place in the world,
strengthening relationships and eliminating the worries of long-distance communication. Speaking with someone
across the country can be done just as easily as speaking with someone down the street.

As technology advanced, the device upgraded from “telephone” to “mobile phone.” What used to be a heavy piece
of equipment can now easily fit in your pocket. Not only is the modern telephone portable, but the features and
capabilities are also advanced.

As the telephone progressed, it adopted new types of visual and written communication. Today, text messages and
electronic versions of photos are regularly sent using mobile phones, increasing the possible amount of information
being shared using phones. The telephone introduced a brand new approach to verbal, written, and visual
communication, and exciting new features continue to change the communication technology game.

2. Radio
About twenty years after the telephone, communicating using the radio came into play. Another innovation in the
realm of verbal communication, radio is used to reach sizable audiences, as opposed to just one person on the other
end of a phone.

The radio’s ability to reach a large audience at a low cost continues to motivate a lot of communicators to take full
advantage of the tool. Information providers, such as advertisers and newscasters, spend substantial amounts of
time communicating with their massive audiences using radio technology. Radio technology transformed the way
information is delivered to large audiences and continues to strengthen mass communication.

3. Television
Television is another way to reach extensive audiences, but it brought a new perk to the table: visual
communication. Some information is hard to describe using just words. Television provides audiences with the best
of both worlds: information and visuals to accompany it. This advantage caused the television to replace the radio as
the leading tool for mass communication.
Today, there are thousands of television channels that communicate information on almost any topic: history,
sports, news, science, fiction, and so on. Whether it be for entertainment or cold hard facts, people are constantly
turning to television for information.

4. Internet
The internet removes the need for communicators to have a separate device for each different type of
communication technology. With the Internet, you can do it all in one place.

As the queen bee of interaction, the internet successfully combines all types of communication technology and
houses them in one place. It provides the largest array of information and communication sources known to man.
The tools available on the internet make any type of communication effortless. Verbal and nonverbal
communication can be accomplished with video conferencing software. Written messages can be sent through
email. Electronic versions of pictures can be sent to and from any internet device.

Customer communication software is another example of one of these tools. While other gadgets help make
communication between a business and their consumers easy, certain tools can often be considered hybrid –
bringing together different types of communication. Live chat is a rare hybrid tool that combines all types of
communication – verbal, nonverbal, written, and rich media – through audio and video conferencing software,
instant messaging, and file sharing capabilities.

Customers can place orders, ask questions, or troubleshoot issues through live chat, all on a single customer
communication platform. This gives them access to a business and allows them to connect with an agent whenever
they have a query. With live chat software, it’s never been easier to connect.

What is information technology?

IT is often used to describe computers and computer networks, but it also includes all layers of all systems within an
organization from the physical hardware to the operating systems, applications, databases, storage, and servers.
Telecommunication technologies, including internet, phones, and cellular networks, are also part of an
organization’s IT infrastructure.

Information technology (IT) is the field concerned with all aspects of managing and processing information,
especially within a large organization or company. IT usually refers to enterprise technology rather than personal or
home computing and networking.

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?

Categories of technology that fall under the IT umbrella include:
Networking - Two or more computer systems, connected wirelessly or by cables, comprise a network.

Computation - Though computing broadly refers to anything in the computer world, here it means data processing,
particularly in the main memory of a central processing unit (CPU).

Data storage - Information has to stay somewhere when it isn’t directly being processed. Storage solutions include
devices (such as solid state drives), cloud storage, databases, data lakes, and file systems.

Security - Cybersecurity helps institutions protect their data and other technological assets from unauthorized
access. Data is one of the most important enterprise commodities, and attacks are increasing in frequency.

Technical support - Technology often requires fixing hardware or software issues. Technical support ranges from
unlocking a laptop to solving an entire network outage.

Space technology
Space technology is technology for use in outer space, in travel (astronautics) or other activities beyond Earth's
atmosphere, for purposes such as spaceflight, space exploration, and Earth observation. Space technology
includes space vehicles such as spacecraft, satellites, space stations and orbital launch vehicles; deep-space
communication; in-space propulsion; and a wide variety of other technologies including support infrastructure
equipment, and procedures.

The space environment is a sufficiently novel environment that attempting to work in it often requires new tools and
techniques.

Many common everyday services for terrestrial use such as weather forecasting, remote sensing, satellite
navigation systems, satellite television, and some long-distance communications systems critically rely on space
infrastructure. Of the sciences, astronomy and Earth science benefit from space technology.[1] New technologies
originating with or accelerated by space-related endeavors are often subsequently exploited in other economic
activities.

History of space technology

The first country on Earth to put any technology into space was Soviet Union, formally known as the "Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics" (USSR). The USSR sent the Sputnik 1 satellite on October 4, 1957. It weighed about 83 kg (183 lb),
and is believed to have orbited Earound the globe. Analysis of the radio signals was used to gather information about
the electron density of the ionosphere, while temperature and pressure data was encoded in the duration of radio
beeps.

The first successful human spaceflight was Vostok 1, carrying 27-year-old Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in April
1961. The entire mission was controlled by either automatic systems or by ground control. This was because medical
staff and spacecraft engineers were unsure how a human might react to weightlessness, and therefore it was
decided to lock the pilot's manual controls.

Application of Science
An application of science is any use of scientific knowledge for a specific purpose, whether to do more science; to
design a product, process, or medical treatment; to develop a new technology; or to predict the impacts of human
actions.

Science is a systematic and logical study into how the universe works. Science is an ever-changing subject. Science is
also defined as the systematic observation, experiment, and measurement of the nature and behaviour of the
material and physical universe, as well as the formulation of laws to represent these facts in general terms.

Science is one of humankind's blessings. It has had a significant part in enhancing the standard of living of mankind.
In every aspect of our lives, science is omnipresent and omnipotent. Science is the main protagonist in every part of
our lives.

Importance of Science in Our Daily Lives

Have you ever wondered how we manage to stay cool in the face of air conditioning, fans, and coolers? Humans are
naturally curious beings who are interested and curious about the reasons for events. However, how to study the
qualities of a certain species or object was a major concern for all humans. There are scientists who have grouped
the study of several subjects under the broad discipline of science.

Human beings have benefitted immensely from science. Man, as a logical being, has been strange in his pursuit of
environmental concerns, which has resulted in several discoveries in various parts of the globe. The study of the
environment is known as science. Animals, chemicals, the force, the earth, plants, and other subjects are studied in
several fields of science such as physics, chemistry, and biology.

Einstein said that “All our science measured against reality, is primitive and childlike - and yet is the most precious
thing we have.”

Examples of Importance and Use of Science in Daily Lives

Examples of the use of science in everyday life are as follows:
 1. We use cars, bikes, or bicycles to go from one place to another; these all are inventions of science.
2. We use soaps; these are also given by science.
3. We use LPG gas and stove etc., for cooking; these are all given by science.
4. Even the house in which we live is a product of science.
5. The iron which we use to iron our clothes is an invention of science even the clothes we wear are given by
science.

Uses of Science across Multiple Fields and Industries

Uses of science in different fields are as follows –
Agriculture
In the field of agriculture, science has made its mark by contributing so much. In present days machines are available
even for sowing the seeds on fields. Tractor, thresher, drip irrigation system, sprinkler irrigation system, etc., all are
given by science. All fertilizers are also given by chemical science.

Medicine
The medical field is based entirely on the usage of science. All the drugs are given by medicinal chemistry. Tools used
in the medical field are also given by science. Machines such as stretchers, the ECG machine, MRI machines and even
injections were invented by science.

Transportation
All vehicles are the invention of science. Science has made the world a small place. You can reach Kashmir to
Kanyakumari in just a few hours. Cycle, scooters, cars, aircraft, etc., all are inventions of science. We can transport
goods easily and faster by the use of machines given by science.

Communication
Science has made the world very small. You can talk to anyone anywhere in a fraction of seconds. Telephones,
mobile phones, etc., all are the inventions of science. All these mediums of communications are available at a very
low cost as well. So, all are within reach of the common man. Science has made it very easy and cheap to talk to
someone using a mobile phone.

Construction
Science is the base of all buildings constructed by us. The construction of buildings is completed based on the
technology given by science. Machines used in the construction work such as motor graders, bulldozers, backhoe
loaders, etc. given by science.

Photography
Science has given us many machines for photography. Nowadays, it’s very easy to click on a picture. The camera has
been inserted even in your small mobile phones. Apart from these, science has given us many machines which are
useful in each and every aspect of our life, such as computers.

Summary
Observing the magic and importance of science, we can say that it has a vast use in all fields of human life. It is of
great importance to make our life easier. It gives an answer to all curiosities related to life. It gives wings to our
imagination by its facts and theories.