Measurement &

Consequences
Intended and Unintended alike
Types of
Measurements
1. Mass in Grams (g)
2. Gravity in Newtons
(n)
3. Temperature in
Kelvin (k), Celsius (c),
and Fahrenheit (f)
4. Volume in Liters (l)

When answering a
question that requires
measurement, always
identify the unit (g, n, k, c,
f, l, etc.)
1. Balance/Scales Measure
2. Spring scales Measure
3. Thermometers Measure
4. Graduated cylinders Measure
Technology & society
Technology provides
solutions for many different
types of social, political and
economic needs
Sometimes, dual needs are
satisfied.
The Yangtze example fulfills
both a social need as well as
an economic need.
Economic needs usually
satisfy through efficiency
and money saving
technology.
Social: Engineer call button
for elderly patients who have
fallen and need medical
assistance
Political: Voting booths, city
government needs for
information to improve
police, firefighting, and
medical services
Economic: Yangtze River
Dam/Turbine was built to
prevent flooding and use
water energy to power
homes

Intended Benefits & unintended
consequences
Intended Benefits
Positive results of
engineered design that
were intended to happen
Example: Cell phones
provide convenient
communication, and
provide resources for when
emergency situations arise
away from home.
Unintended
Consequences
Negative results that
engineers do not purposely
build into the design
process
Example: Cell phones
require towers to function,
which are not always
accessible & interfere with
landscape; also, people
have become socially
disconnected.
Examples
In pairs, list examples of intended benefits as well as unintended
consequences for the following pieces of technology/Scientific
exploration:
Genetic experiments (cloning)
Computers
Space exploration
Microchips implanted in the skin with personal identification &
monetary info
Video Games
Bluetooth
Measurement Practice
https://jeopardylabs.com/edit/enter-title187975
http://www.cstephenmurray.com/onlinequizes/chemi
stry/measuring/measuringindex.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/game/ma23capa-
game-taking-measures-capacity
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/game/ma24weig-
game-taking-measures-weight

Unintended Consequences of Cell
phones
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/artificial-
maturity/201301/the-unintended-consequences-
technology