Science in the World of Avatar

Knowledge of science among the majority of the people of the Avatar World was rather limited before the Hundred Year War; in the years following the conflict, however, the prevalence of science and technology increased greatly. Despite this development, some areas of science are still somewhat limited and there is much room for advancement and improvement. Some prominent people in the field include the mechanist, Hiroshi and Asami Sato, Varrick, War Minister Qin, Baatar Jr., and Sokka.

Air Nomads


The Air Nomads did not have many known scientific breakthroughs or technological advancements, and the pieces of technology they were known to possess relied heavily on their bending abilities to operate.

Construction
All of the cultures have outstanding examples of building construction, but it is not clear how the Air Nomads' distinctive temples were built. Most curious of all is the Western Air Temple, which is anchored from an overhanging cliff and appears upside down to casual observers.

Environmental knowledge
The Air Nomads' scientific knowledge is principally based on the air and its use in bending. They also have a great understanding of the science of ecology, since they try to cause the least amount of environmental damage possible. The Air Nomads have enough technical expertise to produce their gliders, which cause no pollution due to being operated by airbending and natural currents and are thus environmentally friendly.

Philosophy
While not truly science, the Air Nomads practice and develop philosophy persistently, particularly among the Council of Elders. The airbenders show stronger spiritual beliefs than the rest of the world, thus drawing them away from science more so than the other nations.

The Air Acolytes, who continue the Air Nomads' culture, are also drawn away from science in this way, despite the fact that they live in an age of developing science and technology. Nonetheless, they are allowed to study the workings of the material world.

Water Tribe
Due to the Fire Nation's frequent raids during the war, the Southern Water Tribe had a limited amount of scientific knowledge and technology. By comparison, the Northern Water Tribe had a far greater level of advancement in such areas, with the most having occurred in architecture. By Avatar Korra's time, both tribes advanced significantly in science and technology.

Astronomy
The Water Tribes have knowledge of the phases of the moon and the limitations and enhancements they bring to waterbending. They have a vast knowledge of the moon and how it reacts with the ocean's tides. Because most of their power relies on celestial positioning, they know of certain laws of the universe because it has an effect on their bending abilities.

Geography
The Water Tribe also has moderate geographic knowledge. Their warriors study maps of the world, making themselves familiar with the physical forms of the continents and territories.



Medical science
Some waterbenders have a special ability known as healing, which has allowed their nation to develop a strong base in medical science, as anatomical knowledge and an understanding of chi paths is necessary for healing. Their sophisticated healing techniques allow them to heal wounds and lacerations, diseases brought on by pollution, mental illness, and burns. The Water Tribe also boasts numerous schools which serve to train aspiring healers.

Metal, wood, and bone crafting
Water Tribe citizens have either developed a primitive understand of metallurgy or they have traded in order to gain such weapons and other metal tools that they utilize daily, such as Sokka's boomerang. They are also talented at wood and bone working, as many of their weapons and boats consist of those materials. The male members of the Tribes use these crafting talents to create betrothal necklaces which are used to propose marriage.

During the final year of the Hundred Year War, Sokka designed a unique waterbending-powered submarine. Though his work did not parallel the Fire Nation's skill in designing war technologies, the idea proved workable with the help of an Earth Kingdom mechanist.

Earth Kingdom


The Earth Kingdom is one of the most scientifically advanced nations in the World of Avatar, second only to the Fire Nation prior to United Republic of Nations' foundation.

Anthropology
Ba Sing Se University has an anthropology department, where Professor Zei has an important charge. Some people have journeyed into the Si Wong Desert to better understand desert culture by studying the Sandbender Tribes.

Astronomical knowledge
The people of the Earth Kingdom have knowledge of the cause of eclipses and can predict them through a planetary calendar room, located in Wan Shi Tong's Library. Astronomy is one of the many classes taught at Ba Sing Se University.

Medical knowledge


The Earth Kingdom has a considerable degree of medical knowledge. Medicinal plants are widely used to treat disease, often being made into herbal tea, and massage therapy is utilized due to its beneficial qualities. Salves and ointments are used as well to cure rashes, such as when Iroh was poisoned by the white jade bush. Some practices aim to improve the patient's chi flow, and are used to treat a wide variety of diseases. Two such practices are acupuncture, which involves inserting fine needles into specific points to relieve pain, and fire cupping, which relieves stagnant chi by placing heated glass bowls over the acupuncture points to draw out malignant energy.

Surgery is practiced in the Earth Kingdom, and doctors can be found in all larger cities, as well as in many smaller towns, and with military units. The Earth Kingdom has many physicians, who study and treat many physical ailments, as well as herbalists, who devote themselves to the study and cultivation of medicinal plants such as sandalwood, banana leaf, and ginger root. Animal products such as frozen wood frogs are sometimes used in traditional Earth Kingdom medicine.

Other advancements
In the field of engineering and technology, the mechanist has made many useful and important inventions. The mechanist uses scientific knowledge, such as physics, in his inventions. He has a vast knowledge of mechanical science, making him a great advantage to the Earth Kingdom forces during the Hundred Year War.

Fire Nation


The Fire Nation was the most scientifically advanced nation during the Hundred Year War.

Astronomy
The Fire Nation has a reasonable knowledge of astronomy, predicting the arrival of Sozin's Comet. They use this knowledge to tap into the power that can be gained when a comet passes close enough to the planet.

Chemistry and use of resources
The Fire Nation also has some knowledge in chemistry, having the ability to manufacture explosive weapons, which are used in fireworks. They also have some knowledge about mineralogy and fossil fuels, due to the fact that the Fire Nation Navy operates ships powered by coal, a burnable mineral.

Geography
The Fire Nation also has moderate geographic knowledge. In Zhao's harbor, a painted map of the World of Avatar is placed, which indicates the study and knowledge of the physical forms of the continents and territories. The Fire Nation also understands the geographical areas of the other nations beside their nation, such as the Earth Kingdom, and possibly the Water Tribes due to their fighting in the War.

Medical knowledge
The Fire Nation has considerable medical knowledge. Places that treat mental health patients, such as the one Azula was taken to after the Comet-Enhanced Agni Kai, are examples of medical housing. As in the Earth Kingdom, people also know the health benefits of tea, and relaxing yoga in hot springs.

Metallurgy
Metallurgy is the most advanced science in the Fire Nation, due to the fact that they have many weapons, modes of transportation, and devices made of metal, such as the drill. This gave the Fire Nation a strategic advantage over the other nations, in particular the Earth Kingdom, as earthbenders were unable to bend metal. However, this advantage was lost when Toph Beifong discovered the art of metalbending and passed it on to other earthbenders who showed potential, eventually making the skill widespread. The war effort increased the turnout of metal producing sciences tenfold. Factories, such as the one by Jang Hui village, specialized in the creation of metal weaponry.

United Republic of Nations
The United Republic of Nations has shown various inclinations toward science.

Construction
As a result of their unique architecture and advanced knowledge in metal working, the United Republic has made great strides in building construction. The country's wealth of resources has allowed them to develop the skyscraper, a structure that extends vertically instead of the more conventional horizontal style. These towers are quite tall, and rise high above the remainder of the city's buildings. Much unlike the region's traditional styles, skyscrapers have a spire-like design, bearing a pointed peak at the top. This tower has radically changed the layout of the metropolis and even revolutionized the economy, as businesses and facilities now consume less ground space, which has allowed more room for the continued construction of economic industries.



In accordance to the region's geography, the United Republic has also developed the suspension bridge. These structures are found over waterways all throughout Republic City, and allow for a greater ease of transportation when using vehicles. All bridges have a characteristic arch, an architectural feat which represents the tremendous scientific development Republic City has undergone.

Another scientific landmark is the expansive tunnel network that snakes underneath Republic City. The city's advanced construction technology allowed for such a system to be created, and it even has transportation facilities such as a tram network as well as a garage for trucks and motorcycles.

Medical science
By 128 AG, medical science has improved greatly. In order to create a new identity after escaping prison, Yakone underwent plastic surgery to alter his appearance, suggesting several medical breakthroughs and discoveries had been made since the end of the War.

Metal working and other advancements
In years prior to 128 AG, metal working was advanced enough to create uniforms and wires for a Metalbending Police Force. Using this metal, the group used cables attached to their armor to move around the capital of the United Republic, Republic City, and arrest criminals.



By 138 AG, metal working was advanced enough to allow automobiles to be made from metal. These automobiles were soon put into processing and were available for the common citizen.

By 170 AG, metal working had advanced to the point where mecha tanks could be made from platinum and was able to be infused with the necessary electronics that would allow one to control it from the inside.

The general knowledge of physics has developed greatly to the point where radiation and sound waves were no longer a mystery.