---
title: "Technology and its types"
subject: "Energy Environment and Society"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/energy_environment_and_society:technology-types"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/energy_environment_and_society/technology-types
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Technology and its types

Energy Environment and Society · Chapter 1: Technology and Development

- Asked in: year not given
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/energy_environment_and_society/technology-types
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/energy_environment_and_society/chapter-1

## Question

What is technology? Write about its types.

## Short answer

Technology is the practical application of scientific knowledge, skills, tools and methods to produce goods and services. Types include tangible (machines) and intangible (software, methods); by field: ICT, energy, medical; by level: traditional, intermediate, modern, appropriate; and by environmental effect: clean vs. polluting.

## Answer

**Technology** is the practical application of scientific knowledge, skills, tools and methods to produce goods and services and to solve problems.

#### Types of technology
By nature:
1. **Tangible (hard) technology:** physical machines, tools, equipment and structures, such as computers, turbines, vehicles.
2. **Intangible (soft) technology:** methods, know-how, management, software, processes, design, such as project management or algorithms.

By field:
- **Information and communication technology:** computers, internet, mobile.
- **Energy technology:** hydro, solar, wind, biogas, nuclear.
- **Medical / bio-technology:** diagnostics, vaccines, genetic engineering.
- **Construction / civil technology:** bridges, tunnels, roads.
- **Agricultural technology:** tractors, irrigation, improved seeds.
- **Manufacturing / industrial technology:** automation, robotics.
- **Transport technology:** vehicles, railways, ropeways.

By level or scale of development:
- **Traditional / indigenous technology:** local, hand-made, such as the water mill (ghatta), doko, earthen stoves.
- **Intermediate technology:** between traditional and modern, simple and affordable.
- **Modern / high technology:** advanced, capital-intensive, such as nuclear power, AI, satellites.
- **Appropriate technology:** matched to local needs and conditions.
- **Emerging technology:** AI, IoT, nanotechnology, blockchain.

By environmental effect: clean (green) technology and polluting technology.

The best choice depends on the cost, local skills, resources and environmental impact.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which is an example of intangible (soft) technology?
   A. Turbines
   B. Vehicles
   C. Project management methods or algorithms
   D. Computers (hardware)
   Answer: C. Soft technology is methods, know-how, management, software, processes and design. (Key point: Tangible vs intangible)

2. Which technology lies between traditional and modern, simple and affordable?
   A. Emerging technology
   B. High technology
   C. Polluting technology
   D. Intermediate technology
   Answer: D. Intermediate technology is simple and affordable, between traditional and modern. (Key point: Classification by level)

3. Which is an example of traditional/indigenous technology in Nepal?
   A. The water mill (ghatta), doko and earthen stoves
   B. Nuclear power
   C. Satellites
   D. Artificial intelligence
   Answer: A. Traditional technology is local and hand-made, such as ghatta, doko and earthen stoves. (Key point: Traditional technology)

4. The best technology choice depends on:
   A. only novelty
   B. cost, local skills, resources and environmental impact
   C. only foreign preference
   D. only size
   Answer: B. The answer says choice depends on cost, skills, resources and environmental impact. (Key point: Choice of technology)