1B1 Science, Engineering, and Technology Flashcards
Understand how science, engineering, and technology advance together, with engineering design helping to define, solve, and optimize solutions through a cycle of discovery and innovation.
What is technology?
The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.
Examples include smartphones, bridges, and medical devices.
Define:
Science
Studying the natural world in order to understand it.
Science provides the foundational knowledge for technological and engineering innovations.
What is engineering?
The process of designing, building, and improving structures, machines, or systems.
Engineering applies both scientific principles and creative problem-solving techniques.
Define:
Innovation
Creating something new or improving something existing.
Innovation can involve new technologies, better designs, or improved processes.
True or False:
The discovery of electricity directly led to the invention of the light bulb.
True
Scientific research on electricity enabled engineers to design practical electric lighting systems like Edison’s light bulb.
How does engineering help drive science forward?
By building tools for research.
Instruments like microscopes or telescopes enable discoveries that weren’t possible before.
How do science and technology work together?
Science drives technology, and technology advances science.
For example, better computers enable faster climate modeling, helping scientists predict weather patterns more accurately.
True or False:
Engineering always uses existing knowledge.
False
Engineering often leads to new scientific discoveries, like better materials or energy sources.
How is artificial intelligence (AI) used in engineering?
To optimize designs and automate tasks.
AI helps simulate designs, predict outcomes, and improve efficiency, like in autonomous vehicle development.
Define:
engineering design
A set of structured steps engineers use when developing a product.
This iterative process combines creativity and technical knowledge to develop effective solutions.
What is the first step in engineering design?
Defining the problem.
A well-defined problem is the foundation of the design process.
What are success criteria?
Goals a solution must meet.
For example, a bridge must support weight, stay within budget, and meet safety standards.
Why is ethics important in engineering?
To ensure safety and fairness.
Engineers must prioritize public safety, avoid environmental harm, and uphold professional standards.
True or False:
You always need a physical prototype.
False
Simulations, like flight tests for planes, save resources while refining designs.
Define:
constraints
Limits on the solution.
Constraints can include materials, costs, time, or environmental laws.
What happens if criteria are unclear?
It’s harder to judge success.
Clear goals ensure designs are focused and testable.
True or False:
Constraints are optional.
False
Constraints help focus the design process and make the solution realistic.
What is the purpose of proposing multiple solutions?
To find the best one.
Exploring several ideas helps compare options and meet all criteria and constraints.
What does evaluating solutions mean?
Comparing options to criteria.
Engineers test or analyze each idea to find the most practical and effective one.
What are limitations in design?
Factors that restrict how a solution is created.
Limitations might include space, regulations, or available technology.
Fill in the blank:
A _______ is a test version of a design.
prototype
Prototypes reveal flaws and allow early improvements before finalizing the design.
Define:
optimizations
Refining a design for the best possible outcome.
Optimization makes a solution more efficient, cost-effective, or reliable.
Fill in the blank:
_________ is improving a solution through repeated testing.
Iteration
Iteration involves testing and improving repeatedly, like tweaking a car engine for better performance.
Why is it important to refine designs systematically?
To improve without creating new problems.
Systematic refinement ensures consistent progress and avoids setbacks.
Explain how the Hubble Space Telescope is an example of engineering supporting scientific progress.
The telescope is an advanced tool that scientists can use to study the universe.
The Hubble Space Telescope can take extremely high-resolution images of space and the universe. The tool has led to many discoveries, such as the existence of supermassive black holes.
How does science help engineering?
By contributing to a growing body of knowledge used to design solutions.
For example, understanding the science of aerodynamics helps engineers design better airplanes.
True or False:
Technology can drive science.
True
For example, satellites gather data for climate science, driving new discoveries.
Why is testing important?
To check if a design works.
Testing reveals weaknesses, helps fix issues, and ensures designs meet criteria.
What’s an example of real-world constraints?
Building a house with a budget.
Engineers also consider constraints like safety codes, materials, and environmental laws.
How does failure help in design?
It shows what to improve.
Many breakthroughs, like airplanes, came after learning from early failures.
What is a trade-off?
A compromise between benefits.
For instance, a lighter material might improve fuel efficiency but reduce durability.
True or False:
Good designs have no trade-offs.
False
Every design has compromises, like balancing cost and durability.
Why is feedback essential?
To improve designs.
Feedback identifies problems and areas for improvement, helping refine the design.
For example, user feedback on a smartphone app might highlight usability issues, leading to a smoother interface in the next version.
Why is documentation important?
To track decisions and results.
Clear records help others understand, replicate, or improve on a design.
Fill in the blank:
_________ helps refine ideas and improve solutions.
Experimentation
Experiments test if designs meet criteria and identify areas for improvement.
What does interdependence refer to?
Science, engineering, and technology rely on each other.
For example, science inspires technology, and technology enables new scientific discoveries.
True or False:
Optimization always creates a perfect design.
False
Designs aim for the best possible outcome within the given constraints.
How has technology improved transportation?
By making it faster and safer.
Innovations like airplanes and self-driving cars have transformed how people travel.
True or False:
Engineering only applies to large projects.
False
Engineering includes small designs, like medical syringes, and large-scale projects, like airplanes.
How do engineers handle environmental limits?
By creating eco-friendly solutions.
Solar panels, for example, reduce pollution while providing renewable energy.
What is the purpose of a simulation?
To model and test designs virtually.
Simulations test designs virtually, like modeling a car crash to improve safety.
True or False:
The first solution is usually the best.
False
Multiple ideas and testing often lead to better results than the initial design.
A city needs a bridge to connect two neighborhoods but has a limited budget. What is the likely constraint for this project?
Budget
Engineers might use cost-effective materials or modular designs to balance costs and durability.
A scientist discovers a new metal that is super lightweight but expensive. How might engineers use it?
In projects where weight matters more than cost.
This could include aircraft or spacecraft where lighter materials improve efficiency despite high expenses.
A rural village needs clean water but has no electricity. What is the main challenge?
Designing an off-grid water purification system.
Engineers might design solar-powered filters or gravity-fed water purification systems to create a sustainable solution.
