Isaac Newton School Driving

“Wonderful . . . a great resource for automobile fans who want to understand science, and vice versa.” —Alan C. Tribble, author of A Tribble’s Guide to Space

For some, driving is an art; for others, it’s a science. At the Isaac Newton School of Driving, though, every car is a laboratory on wheels and every drive an exciting journey into the world of physics.

In this book, physics professor Barry Parker—whose father was a car mechanic and garage owner—shows how almost every aspect of driving involves physics. A car's performance and handling relies on concepts such as force, momentum, and energy. Its ignition system depends on the principles of electricity and magnetism. Braking relies on friction—and if the brakes fail, the resulting damage, too, can be predicted using physics. Parker’s first lesson describes the basics: speed and acceleration; why you get thrown forward while braking or outward while turning; and why car advertisements boast about horsepower and torque. He also discusses:

• the thermodynamics of engines, and how they can be more fuel efficient
• what friction and traction are and how they keep a car’s tires on the road, whether it's dry, wet, or icy
• how simple laws of physics enable scientists to design aerodynamic cars and high-tech steering systems
• the high-performance physics of auto racing
• how traffic accidents are reconstructed by police
• how chaos theory helps explain why traffic jams happen
• what cars of the future might look like, and more

“You don't need to be an engineer to read and enjoy Parker’s often entertaining book…covers everything from the basics of engines and electronics to crashes and congestion.” —Autoweek