Science Technology and Society Lecture 02

These flashcards cover key concepts from Lecture 02 of the Science Technology and Society course, focusing on historical antecedents leading up to technological advancements and their impact on society.

What does the word 'antecedent' refer to?

Something that comes before, or precedes, something else.

What is the primary focus of the prehistoric period in human history?

This period is characterized by technological advancements that arose earlier than scientific discoveries.

What are the three archaeological periods categorized in the prehistoric period?

The Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age.

What marked the beginning of the Stone Age?

The invention and use of stone tools by early human ancestors.

What significant characteristics are attributed to the Paleolithic period?

Humans were food gatherers/hunters and lived as nomads without permanent shelters.

What was a notable invention during the Paleolithic period?

The needle, which had an eye for threading.

What did the Mesolithic period signify in human development?

The end of the last Ice Age and the introduction of agriculture, leading to more permanent settlements.

What major transition happened during the Neolithic period?

The switch from hunting/gathering to agriculture and food production.

What is bronze made of?

An alloy of 88% copper and 12% tin.

What notable advancements were made during the Bronze Age?

Improvements in metallurgy, the invention of the wheel, and irrigation practices.

What were the key features of the Iron Age?

Production of tools and weapons from iron and steel.

What is the significance of the scientific revolution?

A period of radical change in scientific thought during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Who proposed that planets orbit around the sun?

Nicolaus Copernicus.

What are the three laws of planetary motion developed by Johannes Kepler?

1) Planets move in elliptical orbits, 2) the area law, and 3) the relationship between the squares of periodic times and the cubes of their orbital radii.

What did Isaac Newton contribute to science?

Discovered the composition of white light and formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

What innovation did Johannes Gutenberg introduce?

Movable-type printing.

What defines the information age?

An era characterized by the availability of knowledge and information, transitioning society to one dependent on information computerization.

What invention is Charles Babbage known for?

The analytical engine, an early mechanical computer.