SMT 310: Science and Technology

1. SMT 310: Science and Technology Objectives: This class is a capstone to lower division general education in the sciences. It provides additional knowledge in science and technology It shows how to study science and technology. In this class, we will follow the time-line presented by Burke in his book �Connections� to study several discoveries and inventions together with the events that led to them. For instance, we will talk about eight important inventions that will probably matter the most in the future: telecommunications, atomic bomb, the computer, the production line, the computer, the production line, jet engine, plastics, rocketry, and television. Discoveries and inventions do not usually happen as isolated events, on the contrary, they are usually the result of an entire process. An invention or discovery often comes as a response to a particular problem or need. Some other times, it is the unintended result of trying to reach a different objective. We will provide examples of the different paths leading to an invention or discovery as well as the effects the have on our society.In this class, we will follow the time-line presented by Burke in his book �Connections� to study several discoveries and inventions together with the events that led to them. For instance, we will talk about eight important inventions that will probably matter the most in the future: telecommunications, atomic bomb, the computer, the production line, the computer, the production line, jet engine, plastics, rocketry, and television. Discoveries and inventions do not usually happen as isolated events, on the contrary, they are usually the result of an entire process. An invention or discovery often comes as a response to a particular problem or need. Some other times, it is the unintended result of trying to reach a different objective. We will provide examples of the different paths leading to an invention or discovery as well as the effects the have on our society.

2. Course Components: 1. Lectures (PowerPoint and instructor�s notes) 2. Connections (Book) 3. Videos 4. Additional Readings (SMT 310 Readings) How to achieve the objectives of this class. We will take the �three-dose� approach for each chapter: Follow the PowerPoint presentation for an outline of the chapter as well as additional information on the material presented therein. Read the corresponding chapter (you are responsible for all the material therein) and assigned readings. Watch the video associated with that chapter. The idea is that reinforcing the information will make it easier to remember. You need to remember dates and names so I suggest that you make a list that looks like this: Event date name Electromagnet 1825 Sturgeon Dates and names need to be remembered as presented (exact year, range, etc.) By the end of your class your list will not even be that long.How to achieve the objectives of this class. We will take the �three-dose� approach for each chapter: Follow the PowerPoint presentation for an outline of the chapter as well as additional information on the material presented therein. Read the corresponding chapter (you are responsible for all the material therein) and assigned readings. Watch the video associated with that chapter. The idea is that reinforcing the information will make it easier to remember. You need to remember dates and names so I suggest that you make a list that looks like this: Event date name Electromagnet 1825 Sturgeon Dates and names need to be remembered as presented (exact year, range, etc.) By the end of your class your list will not even be that long.

3. Some Important Definitions Technique: method or way of doing a task Technology: application or study of technique Science: knowledge of facts and laws based on observations and arranged in an orderly system (scientific method). Tool: device used in doing work Artifact: any man-made item. Empiricism: trial and error approach These are some definitions so that everyone is on the same page. Notice that not all artifacts are tools neither all tools are artifacts. A stone is not an artifact but can be a tool. A necklace is not a tool but it is an artifact. Science is done by following the scientific method which consists of the following steps: Observation (data collection) Hypothesis postulation Theory Observations are made and organized. A summary statement of the data that usually provides no explanation for the data is known as a law (example first law of thermodynamics) A hypothesis that usually can be described as a �good educated guess� is postulated to explain the data. The hypothesis is tested and it should be able to make correct predictions for new observations. If this is the case the hypothesis is updated to a theory. Otherwise it needs to be revised and re-postulated. Is the theory the end? No, one of a scientist�s duties is to challenge existing theories for possible flaws in order to make them more robust.These are some definitions so that everyone is on the same page. Notice that not all artifacts are tools neither all tools are artifacts. A stone is not an artifact but can be a tool. A necklace is not a tool but it is an artifact. Science is done by following the scientific method which consists of the following steps: Observation (data collection) Hypothesis postulation Theory Observations are made and organized. A summary statement of the data that usually provides no explanation for the data is known as a law (example first law of thermodynamics) A hypothesis that usually can be described as a �good educated guess� is postulated to explain the data. The hypothesis is tested and it should be able to make correct predictions for new observations. If this is the case the hypothesis is updated to a theory. Otherwise it needs to be revised and re-postulated. Is the theory the end? No, one of a scientist�s duties is to challenge existing theories for possible flaws in order to make them more robust.

4. Time Charts 1.- Stone Age: Paleolithic 2,000,000-10,000 B.P. -> hunter-gatherer Mesolitic 10,000 � 9,000 B.P. Neolitic 9,000 � 5,000 B.P. -> herder-farmer 2.- Bronze Age: 5,000 � 3,000 B.P. 3.- Iron Age 3,000 � Present. (B.P.=Before Present) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Linear graphs: scale divisions are equal. Logarithmic graphs: scale divisions are exponential. (Readings: Geologic Time Charts. Pages 86-88) Scientific notation: n.nnn x 10y Move period right for negative exponent: 0.012 = 1.2x10-2 Move period left for positive exponent: 1200 = 1.200x103 Notice that in the �Readings� you will find linear and logarithmic graphs. The difference is in the horizontal axis: in linear plots, the spacing between ticks is always the same but in log plots, the same spacing represents 10 times as big of a segment from one segment to the next. These log plots are therefore closely related to powers of ten. Powers of ten are of common use in science since they provide a very convenient way of expressing either very small or very large quantities; this is called SCIENTIFIC NOTATION (SCI). In SCI, any number needs to be written so that there is only ONE digit to the left of the decimal point and the rest are to the right. Also, the resulting number needs to be multiplied by a power of ten. The numbers we commonly use are written in DECIMAL notation. Switching between the two notations is easy: just keep an eye on the decimal point. DECIMAL to SCI. move the decimal point until only one digit remains to the left of it. If you moved the point to the left the exponent of ten needs to be negative and equal to the number of places the point was moved. Ex: 0.00025 -> 2.5 x 10-4 because the decimal point was moved 4 places to the right when going from DECIMAL TO SCI. Going from SCI to Decimal is the OPPOSITE: 3.4x105 -> 340000. Because the decimal point needs to be moved 5 places to the right when going from SCI to DECIMAL.Notice that in the �Readings� you will find linear and logarithmic graphs. The difference is in the horizontal axis: in linear plots, the spacing between ticks is always the same but in log plots, the same spacing represents 10 times as big of a segment from one segment to the next. These log plots are therefore closely related to powers of ten. Powers of ten are of common use in science since they provide a very convenient way of expressing either very small or very large quantities; this is called SCIENTIFIC NOTATION (SCI). In SCI, any number needs to be written so that there is only ONE digit to the left of the decimal point and the rest are to the right. Also, the resulting number needs to be multiplied by a power of ten. The numbers we commonly use are written in DECIMAL notation. Switching between the two notations is easy: just keep an eye on the decimal point. DECIMAL to SCI. move the decimal point until only one digit remains to the left of it. If you moved the point to the left the exponent of ten needs to be negative and equal to the number of places the point was moved. Ex: 0.00025 -> 2.5 x 10-4 because the decimal point was moved 4 places to the right when going from DECIMAL TO SCI. Going from SCI to Decimal is the OPPOSITE: 3.4x105 -> 340000. Because the decimal point needs to be moved 5 places to the right when going from SCI to DECIMAL.

5. 1.- The Trigger Effect Man�s love-hate relation with technology. Ex. N.Y. Black out (11/9/65). Everything is �connected�, something fails (a relay) everything becomes unstable. Every innovation acts as a trigger of change. The scratch plough is the first trigger, which resulted from the change in weather (this is before 4000 B.C.) Chapter 1 deals with the 1965 blackout is a clear example of the love-hate relationship we have with technology. There are other important examples, including another black out, this time in 2003, as a consequence of a computer malfunction. It also talks about an innovation acting as a trigger of change. When a innovation comes about in science and technology, that prompts others to build upon that to improve it or to work on derivations of it. The invention of the plough was related to the the river rising and receding regularly. Therefore, there was a need to match human agricultural activity to this cycle and to harness the retreating waters for the dry period. Chapter 1 deals with the 1965 blackout is a clear example of the love-hate relationship we have with technology. There are other important examples, including another black out, this time in 2003, as a consequence of a computer malfunction. It also talks about an innovation acting as a trigger of change. When a innovation comes about in science and technology, that prompts others to build upon that to improve it or to work on derivations of it. The invention of the plough was related to the the river rising and receding regularly. Therefore, there was a need to match human agricultural activity to this cycle and to harness the retreating waters for the dry period.

6. Communities Between 6000-5000 B.C. Nomads settled down. They descended to the Tigris and Euphrates in Syria and the Nile in Egypt. Community: surplus of food; division of labor; irrigation; cloth; writing; trade; money; armies; government/taxes; civilization. Egyptians had a functional society by 2500 B.C. Food producers support non-food producers who provide essential services. Notice that the river Nile in Egypt results from two rivers: White Nile which rises in the African lakes Blue Nile which falls from the Abyssinian Plateau. A successful community is build around a surplus of food. Surplus of food leads to division of labor which creates specialization. Specialization is one of the factors that speeds up innovations and technological development. Notice that the river Nile in Egypt results from two rivers: White Nile which rises in the African lakes Blue Nile which falls from the Abyssinian Plateau. A successful community is build around a surplus of food. Surplus of food leads to division of labor which creates specialization. Specialization is one of the factors that speeds up innovations and technological development.

7. 2.- The Road from Alexandria Gold used to �buy� goods and services (700 B.C.) Touchstone used to determine gold�s quality. King Gyges (685 B. C.) mint seal. Yellow marks: pure gold White marks: gold mixed with silver Red marks: gold mixed with copper Effects of money issued by central mint coinage: 1. Unifying effect on the users. 2. Selective buying and selling of more diverse cargoes. The first indications of gold being used as currency, however, goes as far back as the 3rd millennium B.C. Gold was made into coins in order to facilitate transport and manipulation. The effects of the central mint coinage is standardization. This occurred around 500 B. C.The first indications of gold being used as currency, however, goes as far back as the 3rd millennium B.C. Gold was made into coins in order to facilitate transport and manipulation. The effects of the central mint coinage is standardization. This occurred around 500 B. C.

8. Astronomy Alexander the Great founded Alexandria (331 B.C.) at the mouth of the Nile. Famous library and lighthouse. Astronomy: Ptolomy�s �System of Mathematics�, a book on astronomy 127-151 A.D.. Also, the zodiac -12 constellations 539 B.C. Knowledge to be used by navigators. Burning of the books 646 A.D. Ptolomy�s book saved and translated into Arabic and Latin. Knowledge: Egyptians provide the first indications of organized scientific knowledge (3000 B.C.). We�ll start our journey 700 .B.C. with the Greeks. In particular, we�ll start with their answer to the question about the composition of things. Thales first answer was water (~640 B.C.). Fire, earth, and wind were later added to complete the Four Elements. By the 5th century B.C., Aristotle added ether as the 5th element to account for the composition of the sky; where starts �float.� Nowadays, we know neither of them is an element and the starts are suspended in space which is mostly vacuum. Astronomy is considered the mother of all sciences as it is very probable that humans were first intrigued by the skies as they looked up. Alexandria was considered the greatest trading capital of the world. It also collected a vast amount of knowledge as ships were required to lend their manuscripts for copying. The copies (or the originals depending of what was returned to the ship) were kept in their Library (235 B.C.) Alfonso the Wise order the translation of the �System of Mathematics� from Arab to Latin in Toledo, Spain.Knowledge: Egyptians provide the first indications of organized scientific knowledge (3000 B.C.). We�ll start our journey 700 .B.C. with the Greeks. In particular, we�ll start with their answer to the question about the composition of things. Thales first answer was water (~640 B.C.). Fire, earth, and wind were later added to complete the Four Elements. By the 5th century B.C., Aristotle added ether as the 5th element to account for the composition of the sky; where starts �float.� Nowadays, we know neither of them is an element and the starts are suspended in space which is mostly vacuum. Astronomy is considered the mother of all sciences as it is very probable that humans were first intrigued by the skies as they looked up. Alexandria was considered the greatest trading capital of the world. It also collected a vast amount of knowledge as ships were required to lend their manuscripts for copying. The copies (or the originals depending of what was returned to the ship) were kept in their Library (235 B.C.) Alfonso the Wise order the translation of the �System of Mathematics� from Arab to Latin in Toledo, Spain.

9. Navigating Thirteen century: sea trade begins to recover. Old Roman square sail: sailing in the direction of wind only. Triangular sail (movable boom and lateen): sailing in all directions (invented by the Chinese) More elaborated sailing systems were developed. Speed measured in knots/hour. Use of sandglass, knotted line, and compass. The Knotted Line consisted of a rope with knots equally separated from each other. When the ship was at rest, the rope hung overboard from the deck and none of the knots could be seen from the deck. As the ship moved faster, more knots became visible and that was how the speed was measured. All evidence seems to indicate the compass invented in China. The compass was a magnetic needle that would float on a liquid. The needle aligns itself with the magnetic field of the earth (pointing north, read about true north and magnetic north) Being able to measure accurately the speed, the time, and the direction, improved navigation tremendously, changing sailing and trading forever. The economic effects of the compass were huge on the economy. Also, this devise triggered studies that led to important discoveries and inventionsThe Knotted Line consisted of a rope with knots equally separated from each other. When the ship was at rest, the rope hung overboard from the deck and none of the knots could be seen from the deck. As the ship moved faster, more knots became visible and that was how the speed was measured. All evidence seems to indicate the compass invented in China. The compass was a magnetic needle that would float on a liquid. The needle aligns itself with the magnetic field of the earth (pointing north, read about true north and magnetic north) Being able to measure accurately the speed, the time, and the direction, improved navigation tremendously, changing sailing and trading forever. The economic effects of the compass were huge on the economy. Also, this devise triggered studies that led to important discoveries and inventions

10. From compass to RADAR Compass studies: Robert Norman -> The New Attractive (1581), suggested differences between magnetic and true north; William Gilbert -> On Magnets (1600), Earth is a great magnet, also suggested the existence of vacuum. Otto von Guericke studied both vacuum (horse expt) and magnetism (observed electricity in a ball of melted sulphur) Benjamin Franklin lightning experiments. Watson Watt: Radio Detection and Ranging (1935) It is important to highlight that Aristotle was probably one of the greatest minds who ever lived. However, one of his biggest scientific errors was to deny the existence of vacuum (that is why he formulated Ether as the 5th element). It wasn�t until the events describe here that this concept was finally accepted. Earth is a big magnet due to its molten core of Nickel and Iron. Why? Because Electricity and Magnetism can be seen as two components of the same phenomenon.It is important to highlight that Aristotle was probably one of the greatest minds who ever lived. However, one of his biggest scientific errors was to deny the existence of vacuum (that is why he formulated Ether as the 5th element). It wasn�t until the events describe here that this concept was finally accepted. Earth is a big magnet due to its molten core of Nickel and Iron. Why? Because Electricity and Magnetism can be seen as two components of the same phenomenon.

11. Conclusion Study of compass ->magnets -> vacuum. Work on vacuum pump -> composition of air -> discovery of oxygen -> combustion -> respiratory diseases and advances in metallurgy. Examination of gases -> light passing through gases -> cathode rays -> television set. Electricity had been discovered!!! (readings pg 63)

12. 3.- Distant Voices Energy is the ultimate currency! What�s Energy? The capacity to do work. It is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed. Types of Energy: 1. Kinetic (motion) and 2. Potential (condition). Energy can be transferred in two ways: Heat and Work. Fusion could provide enough electricity for L.A. on the atoms in a bucket of seawater. (read Fusion vs. Fission in the book)

13. Military Technology and Society Few military breakthroughs have altered the society that first uses them. Examples: 1. The stirrup (Norman occupation of England 1066); 2. Welsh longbow (1415 - arrows penetrate amour); 3. Atomic bomb. (not too much reading needed)

14. Agricultural Inventions The new plough: the old scratch plough gave way to the mouldboard plough in the sixth century. An iron knife could cut through vegetation, front wheels, and a wing-like board to throw soil to the right (pg 63) New plough needed more �power�. Horses replaced the oxen and the horse collar was invented (8th-9th century). Horseshoe made possible for horses to work in all weather and terrains. Horses were also used for transportation. Equipment and animals kept in a central place -> villages.

15. 15th century mining Cash was in short supply in the middle ages. Silver mining increased. Czechoslovakia�s mines ideal: 1. water power from steams to run machinery and 2. wood for smelting the ores. Mines of Joachimsthal, minted coin called joachimsthaler (thaler for short) -> dollar. Problem: draining the water out of the mines. 1.- chain of porous cloth balls. 2.- Giant wooden screw. 3.- water sucking piston. Limitation: no water sucking higher than 32 feet above the surface of the flood level ?? Could it have to do with air pressure/vacuum??

16. From barometers to the telephone Evangelista Torricelli (1630) experimented with mercury and described air pressure. Air pressure lower in mountains than at see level (see also readings on gases and temperatures on page 85). Pascal and Perier proved Torricelli�s theory. The barometer was invented. Picard noticed electricity due to friction between Hg and glass in his barometer (1675). Gray (1729) described attractive forces which we now know are due to electricity. Galvani (1786) current; Volta (1800) battery. Relationship between Electricity and Magnetism. Oersted (1820) first noticed compass needle moving (pg 78). Sturgeon (1825) made an electromagnet; Faraday generated electricity with a magnet.

17. The telephone Alexander Graham Bell put it all together and invented the telephone. Sound -> vibrating membrane -> fluctuating field -> electricity -> fluctuating field -> vibrating membrane -> Sound