What is the importance of physics to the common citizen?

Answer 1

Physics effects ordinary people mostly indirectly. The principles of physics are used to design & build every device the does work (cars, tractors, airplanes, robots, trains, ships, etc.) and every building and every bridge, etc. It is also used in optical instruments (microscopes, cameras . .), acoustics and on and on. Most of the modern world was created by the use of physics.

For those interested in how the universe works it can effect them directly with understanding.