The Role of Physics in Today's Technology and Vice Versa

The advancement in today's technology has been growing at an incredible rate. One thing you may not be aware of is how physics is being used to advance technology. Physics and technology have always had an intertwined relationship. Without a well developed understanding of physics, today's technology would not be anywhere near the point it is today.

Here are some of the ways that technology has been able to advance due to applying concepts found in physics.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Machines (MRI's)

The use of physics has enabled us to develop Magnetic Resonance Imaging Machines, also commonly known as MRI machines for short. MRI machines are used in the medical field and they allow us to take pictures of the inside of the human body. MRI machines are commonly used for detecting various masses within the body including cancers. MRI machines work by using smart magnetic particles that are shot through the body. An image of the inside of your body is then produced based on how long it took for the magnetic particles to travel through various tissues in your body.  

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is commonly used as a cancer treatment to help eradicate tumors within the body. Radiation therapy works by shooting tiny electromagnetic particles into areas that contain cancerous cells. The radiation uses part of the electromagnetic spectrum and directs it towards the cancerous areas. This is done to help kill the dangerous cells in your body. Radiation Therapy is very important in today's world due to all the issues with cancers we have and hopefully the application of physics can help improve radiation therapy to the point were cancers are totally eliminated. 

Computer Chips

Computer chips are designed using quantum physics. Quantum computing is a non classical way of computing that involves applying quantum physics to computer development. The laws of quantum mechanics are applied to the rules of quantum cryptography to create a non classical model of computation. If you are looking to learn more about quantum computing, I would suggest you visit this link as they describe the functionality of quantum computing in a way that makes sense. They describe how quantum computers offer the possibility of making computing much faster than in currently is. Also, how it offers more protection from hackers and is generally a better way to protect data and work securely. Without the application of physics, quantum computing would never be made possible. This is one of the largest changes in our recent technologies and will mark a very important time in our history as quantum computing becomes the norm. 

Space

Without the use of physics, we would never have been able to make it to space. Travelling to space is no easy feat and it requires a lot of super smart people that are experts in physics to pull everything off. Not only do the people at NASA have to understand how physics work here on earth, they also need to know how physics works in outer space and other planets in order to make space travel possible. As NASA continues to apply the use of physics to their space exploration projects we should begin to see large advancements in the ways that space exploration in conducted in the near future. 

Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

Without a deep understanding of how physics works, we would not have been able to develop the Global Positioning System, more commonly known as GPS. The GPS uses about 30 different satellites that orbit our earth that help determine your position at any given time. The satellites pick up signals that are traveling at the speed of light from your device which is then intercepted by the satellites. The satellites can then run some equations and determine your exact location. GPS technologies are used by people in the military, farmers, and everyday people like me and you. If you have ever wondered how you can track your Uber on their app, that is because of the Global Positioning System, and because of that you have physics to thank.

The advancement in today's technology is heavily dependent on the application and understanding of physics. If we did not apply physics into today's technology, we would not have the amazing technology we have today. The use of physics in technology has lead to some amazing advancements such as the creation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI's), Radiation Therapy to help treat cancer,  and the possibilities of quantum computing. Additionally, we would not have a space exploration program if it was not for physics. Space exploration is one of the major areas in science that requires physics experts to continually exploit physics and use it to our advantage.