Have you ever thought of how a car moves? How do engines of cars produce power? The book ‘The Isaac Newton School of Driving – Physics & Your Car’ can tell you the answer.

The book is written by Barry Parker and is published by The John Hopkins University Press. Do you have any idea how Physics affects the development of the car industry? In fact, the first motor car was invented more than a century ago; Henry Ford was the first man who invented a ‘car’ powered by a steam engine. Ford called his car ‘quadricycle’. He then started to manufacture the Model T, which was continued to produce for about 19 years and more than 15 million Model Ts were manufactured.

How does a car relate to science, or Physics — which we see vehicles moving on the roads every day? You might not realise Physics and cars have too much in common, but they do. In fact, the acceleration of cars and the force implied are the basis of Physics.

Let’s get back to the book. The book is divided into several chapters. Different components of a car are explained to readers in detail with the knowledge and concepts of Physics. The book is published in 2002 so many new technologies were not introduced in this book. However, some old days technologies are essential and become basic equipment to motor cars. For example, an air bag is installed in the steering wheel to prevent the driver from hitting the windscreen during accidents. Air bags were an additional option for consumers in the late 1980s which they had to pay for their safety. Nowadays, air bags are installed in almost every new vehicles produced.

The Anti-lock Braking System is also an important system invented to improve the control of the car. When you hit the brakes in poor road conditions, the tyres are locked by the brakes and it could be very dangerous as you lose control of the steering of the car. The ABS can provide more vehicle control to drivers when they hit the brakes and can decrease the braking distance of the vehicle.

I was very interested in cars when I was a kid. Now I can tell almost every make of vehicles and their basic specifications. I can learn about how a car is related to Physics from this book. I have become more familiarized with the motor vehicles around me every day. If you are interested in reading this book, you can borrow it from the public library.