Unit D Lesson 17: Electrical Technologies
Completion requirements
Unit D Lesson 17: Electrical Technologies
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Learning Targets |
Big Question: What role does electricity have in technologies?
It is difficult to imagine a more important utility than electricity in our modern world.
It is difficult to imagine a more important utility than electricity in our modern world.
At the end of this inquiry, you should be able to answer the following questions:
- What are the benefits of technology?
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How can information be transmitted electronically?
Pages 356 to 358 in your textbook will help you answer these questions.
Introduction
Benefits of Electric Technologies
Technology allows us to complete tasks in shorter times. We can put our laundry into a washer for an hour or so while we do other things; in the past, we would have used the day to scrub our clothes.
Computers allow us to use electricity to store and transmit data. Writing, calculations, researching, and communicating have all become easier with the introduction to computers. Computers use "bits" or binary numbers (0 and 1) to store and transmit data, and this has led to many digital technological improvements.
Data transmission has led to incredible advances in communication. The Internet and personal mobile communication has led to nearly instantaneous transmission of information around the world. This has led to many benefits including new economies and jobs, faster emergency responses, easier trading of goods and services, and much, much more.
Technology allows us to complete tasks in shorter times. We can put our laundry into a washer for an hour or so while we do other things; in the past, we would have used the day to scrub our clothes.
Computers allow us to use electricity to store and transmit data. Writing, calculations, researching, and communicating have all become easier with the introduction to computers. Computers use "bits" or binary numbers (0 and 1) to store and transmit data, and this has led to many digital technological improvements.
Data transmission has led to incredible advances in communication. The Internet and personal mobile communication has led to nearly instantaneous transmission of information around the world. This has led to many benefits including new economies and jobs, faster emergency responses, easier trading of goods and services, and much, much more.
Figure 1 – The next generation of computers will likely take advantage of quantum computing. These computers use qubits rather than bits to store data. Whereas a bit can only exist in two states, a qubit can exist in many different states –
dramatically increasing the amount of storage and power of computers. Quantum computers are still in the very early stages of development.
Try It!
Practice Worksheet: Electrical Technology
- DOWNLOAD this practice worksheet (S9_UD_S4_L17_electrical_tech). If you prefer to use a Google Drive or PDF version of the worksheet, click here.
- Follow the instructions on the worksheet and answer the questions.
- When you are satisfied with your responses you can check your work by clicking on the "SUGGESTED ANSWERS" button below.
Wait! Don't view the suggested answers first. This practice work is not for marks, it is meant to help you check your understanding. Check the answers AFTER doing the questions! Keep the practice worksheet for study purposes. If you don't understand something, contact your teacher!
Figure 2 – Electrical technology is always changing – what devices have you learned about this year, that you were not aware of one year ago?
Watch
How has technology changed since 1980? To answer this, click here to watch "Kids of Today vs. 1980's Technology (HD)".
Disadvantages of Electric Technologies
As we continue to seek new technologies, our old technologies become garbage much sooner than expected. This leads to an increase in waste disposal. Increasing the cycle of technology development as increases energy consumption because it requires energy to build new devices.
Technology is not cheap, and it is not easily accessible by all people in all countries. This leads to isolation and exclusion of some countries.
Using computers to transfer knowledge can affect privacy and confidentiality of personal information. The Internet has allowed anyone the freedom to post information that may or may not be true. Even worse, the Internet allows for "trolls" who deliberately post false or misleading information for their personal gain at the expense of others.
As we continue to seek new technologies, our old technologies become garbage much sooner than expected. This leads to an increase in waste disposal. Increasing the cycle of technology development as increases energy consumption because it requires energy to build new devices.
Technology is not cheap, and it is not easily accessible by all people in all countries. This leads to isolation and exclusion of some countries.
Using computers to transfer knowledge can affect privacy and confidentiality of personal information. The Internet has allowed anyone the freedom to post information that may or may not be true. Even worse, the Internet allows for "trolls" who deliberately post false or misleading information for their personal gain at the expense of others.
Figure 3 – Old technology can present challenges for disposal. It takes up space in landfills, and may contain toxic substances. Wherever possible, old technology should be recycled, but recycling requires energy as well. How much old technology
do you have gathering dust around your home?