Science in the World of Avatar

Knowledge of science amongst the people of the Avatar World is rather limited. Across all nations, the most used, developed, and known science is astronomy. Beyond that, the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom have demonstrated the greatest development in the field of scientific knowledge.

Despite limited knowledge in general, it is known and clear to certain people, such as the mechanist, War Minister Qin, and Sokka, what science is and what the boundaries are of what it can and cannot prove.

Air Nomads


The Air Nomads do not have many known scientific breakthroughs or technological advancements.

Philosophical science
The Air Nomads practice and develop philosophy persistently, particularly amongst the Council of Elders. The airbenders show stronger spiritual beliefs than the other three nations, which draws them away from science more so than the other nations.

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 do the least possible environmental damage. The Air Nomads have enough technical expertise to produce their gliders, which cause no pollution and are thus environmentally friendly.

Water Tribe


The Southern Water Tribe has a limited amount of scientific knowledge and technology. By comparison, the Northern Water Tribe has shown a far greater level of advancement in such areas.

Metal and wood crafting
The Water Tribe citizens have either scantily developed the science of metallurgy, or they have traded in order to gain such weapons and other useful objects and tools, as demonstrated by their use of metal weaponry. They are also talented at wood working, as many of their weapons and boats consist of wood.

During the final year of the Hundred Year War, Sokka designed a unique waterbending-powered submarine. Though not as talented as the Fire Nation at metal working and creating war technologies, his idea proved workable with the help of an Earth Kingdom mechanist.

Medicinal science
Some waterbenders have a special ability known as healing, which has allowed their nation to develop a strong base in medicinal science. Waterbenders have an understanding of chi paths and how to heal them. A healer must also know the anatomy of the human body in order to heal chi paths. Some waterbending masters can utilize bloodbending, which indicates that they have a substantial degree of knowledge about the human body. Their sophisticated medical techniques allow them to heal huge wounds and lacerations, diseases brought on by pollution, mental illness, burns, and internal injuries. The Water Tribe also boasts numerous medical schools which serve to train aspiring doctors.

Astronomy
The Water Tribes know about lunar eclipses and the consequences they bring to their waterbending. They have a vast knowledge of the moon, and understand the way the moon reacts with the tides of the ocean. Since most of there power relies on celestial positioning and gravity, they know of certain laws that guide the universe and thus their power.

Earth Kingdom


The Earth Kingdom is one of the most scientifically advanced nations in the World of Avatar, second only to the Fire Nation.

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.

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.

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.

Metal working
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 is the most scientifically advanced nation in the entire World of Avatar.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Medical science
By 128 ASC, 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.

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.