How Cars Relate to Science

Cars embody applied science: physics moves them, chemistry powers them, materials shape them, computing controls them, and environmental science measures their impact. Understanding these links explains everything from why a vehicle accelerates the way it does to how it charges, senses the road, protects passengers, and influences air quality and the grid.

The scientific disciplines behind every drive

At their core, cars are complex experiments on wheels. Multiple branches of science converge to turn energy into motion safely, efficiently, and cleanly, while modern software coordinates thousands of real-time decisions per second.

The following list outlines the main scientific domains that intersect in automotive design, production, and use.

• Physics: mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, electromagnetism
• Chemistry: fuels, combustion, lubricants, catalytic reactions, battery electrochemistry
• Materials science: steels, aluminum, composites, polymers, coatings, nanomaterials
• Electrical engineering and power electronics: inverters, motors, charging, wiring
• Computer science and control theory: embedded software, sensors, autonomy, cybersecurity
• Data science and simulation: digital twins, CFD, crash models, fleet telematics
• Environmental science and energy systems: emissions, life-cycle analysis, grids, recycling
• Human factors and biomechanics: ergonomics, HMI, crash injury mitigation
• Acoustics and optics: NVH control, lighting, lidar, cameras

Together these fields explain why modern vehicles are lighter yet stronger, quicker yet more efficient, and increasingly software-defined, with safety and sustainability measured across the vehicle’s full life cycle.

The physics under the hood and under the floor

Forces, motion, and energy

Newtonian mechanics governs acceleration, braking, and handling; engineers balance traction, weight transfer, and suspension geometry to keep tires in their optimal grip window. Thermodynamics determines how engines and electric powertrains convert energy: combustion engines are limited by the Otto/Diesel cycles, turbochargers recover exhaust energy, and hybrids use regenerative braking to recapture kinetic energy. Aerodynamics reduces drag and lift; today’s slipperiest production sedans reach drag coefficients near 0.20–0.22, with active shutters and smooth underbodies cutting highway consumption. Electromagnetism powers motors: torque arises from magnetic fields in permanent-magnet or induction machines, while inverter switching strategies and high-voltage architectures (often 800V) improve efficiency and charging speed.

The chemistry of motion

From fuel molecules to battery ions

Combustion chemistry and catalysis shape emissions; three-way catalysts, particulate filters, and EGR manage NOx and soot. Lubricant additives reduce wear and friction (tribology), aiding efficiency. In electrified vehicles, battery chemistry rules range and cost. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) packs have gained traction for durability and lower cost, while high-nickel NMC chemistries target high energy density. Research is active in silicon-graphite anodes, manganese-rich cathodes, and solid-state electrolytes; sodium-ion batteries are entering early production in cost-sensitive segments and stationary storage. Thermal management—phase-change materials, heat pumps, and liquid cooling—keeps cells in a narrow temperature band to preserve life and safety.

Materials science and manufacturing

Light, strong, and recyclable

High-strength steels, tailored blanks, aluminum castings, and carbon-fiber composites deliver crash performance without excess mass. Coatings resist corrosion; adhesives and spot welding create multi-material bonds. Additive manufacturing accelerates prototyping and complex cooling channels for power electronics. The EU’s Battery Regulation (phased from 2024) is driving design-for-recycling and minimum recycled-content targets, while automakers increase closed-loop aluminum and copper recovery to cut embedded emissions.

Electronics, software, and the rise of the software-defined vehicle

Sensing, computing, and control

Modern cars host dozens of networked ECUs and sensors—radar, cameras, ultrasonic, and in some cases lidar—coordinated over CAN, Ethernet, and time-sensitive networks. Power electronics are a critical efficiency lever: silicon carbide (SiC) and, increasingly, gallium nitride (GaN) devices reduce switching losses, especially in 800V systems. Vehicles now receive over-the-air updates, shifting features and efficiency via software, while cybersecurity and functional safety standards (ISO 21434, ISO 26262) mitigate new risks. North American charging is converging on the SAE J3400/NACS connector as automakers migrate in 2025–2026, while ISO 15118-20 underpins plug-and-charge and bidirectional energy services.

Data, autonomy, and validation science

AI meets safety engineering

Driver-assistance systems rely on perception (neural networks), sensor fusion (Kalman/particle filters), and planning algorithms. Limited Level 3 automated driving is approved in specific jurisdictions and scenarios (for example, Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot in parts of the U.S. and Europe), while most systems remain Level 2 with driver supervision. Because proving safety is statistical, industry combines on-road miles, simulation, and scenario-based testing; regulators are updating protocols (e.g., Euro NCAP’s assisted driving assessments) to evaluate human-machine interaction as well as raw capability.

Environmental and energy science

From tailpipes to supply chains and the grid

Life-cycle assessments quantify cradle-to-grave impacts, including mining, manufacturing, use-phase energy, and end-of-life. Air-quality rules are tightening globally, with new limits on not just exhaust gases but brake and tire particle emissions. In the U.S., the EPA’s 2024 light- and medium-duty standards for model years 2027–2032 push fleet-wide pollution reductions via a mix of powertrains. As EV adoption rises, grid science matters: smart charging, time-of-use pricing, and vehicle-to-grid/home can smooth peaks and integrate renewables, while hydrogen fuel cells are being piloted for long-range heavy-duty use where fast refueling and payload matter.

Human factors, safety, and biomechanics

Designing for people

Ergonomics and cognitive load shape interfaces; good HMI reduces distraction and supports trust in assistance features. Crash science blends structural engineering with biomechanics: crumple zones, load paths, airbags, and pretensioners manage energy so occupants experience survivable decelerations. Updated crash tests (e.g., IIHS moderate overlap 2.0 and tougher side impacts) drive stronger structures and smarter restraint tuning, while pedestrian and cyclist protection tests influence hood, bumper, and software design.

Acoustics and optics

Hearing and seeing clearly

Acoustic engineering tames road, wind, and drivetrain noise through tire design, door seals, and active noise control; EVs introduce low-speed sound emitters for pedestrian safety. Optics governs headlights, HUDs, and sensors—matrix LED and laser systems shape precise beams, while lidar and camera optics must perform across rain, fog, and glare with robust cleaning and de-icing strategies.

Recent developments that show science in motion

From lab breakthroughs to showroom models, these current trends illustrate how scientific advances rapidly change what cars can do and how they’re built.

1. High-voltage EV platforms: 800V architectures paired with SiC inverters enable faster charging and higher efficiency; GaN is emerging in onboard chargers and DC/DC converters.
2. Battery diversification: LFP scales for cost and durability; manganese-rich and silicon-blended chemistries target energy density; early sodium-ion vehicles appear in select markets for entry-level ranges.
3. Active aerodynamics: adaptive ride height, grille shutters, and underbody panels cut drag, contributing noticeable range gains at highway speeds.
4. Assisted driving maturity: wider rollout of highway hands-off systems in geofenced conditions, with regulatory oversight emphasizing driver monitoring and fallback safety.
5. Tire and brake particle focus: new tests and materials (low-abrasion compounds, regenerative braking, and particulate-capturing brake designs) aim to reduce non-exhaust emissions.
6. Recycling and repairability: design changes to ease pack disassembly, cell replacement, and materials recovery align with emerging circularity regulations.
7. Zonal E/E architectures: consolidation of ECUs into domain or zonal controllers reduces wiring mass, improves updateability, and enables features via software licenses.
8. Hydrogen in heavy-duty: fuel-cell pilots expand for trucks and buses on fixed routes where centralized refueling and uptime are critical.

Taken together, these shifts reflect a broader transition: cars are becoming cleaner, more efficient, and more software-centric, with science guiding each trade-off among cost, performance, safety, and sustainability.

Why it matters to society and the economy

The science-car connection shapes public health, climate goals, and industrial competitiveness. It determines how quickly fleets decarbonize, how safe roads become, and how resilient supply chains are.

• Safety: better crash energy management, ADAS, and human-centered design reduce fatalities and injuries.
• Environment: lower tailpipe and non-exhaust pollution, cleaner manufacturing, and higher recycling rates improve air and climate outcomes.
• Energy: integration with the grid and smart charging supports renewable uptake and grid stability.
• Economy: advances in batteries, semiconductors, and software create high-skill jobs and new business models.
• Policy: standards and incentives steer technology choices, from emissions to cybersecurity and data privacy.

As vehicles evolve, collaboration among scientists, engineers, policymakers, and consumers will determine how benefits are distributed—across regions, price points, and use cases from city commuting to freight.

Summary

Cars are rolling expressions of applied science. Physics and chemistry convert energy to motion; materials make vehicles lighter and safer; computing and control orchestrate sensing and decisions; environmental science measures and mitigates impacts. Current advances—from high-voltage electrification and evolving battery chemistries to cleaner brakes and smarter software—show how research translates into everyday mobility. Understanding these scientific threads helps explain not only how cars work, but how they can become safer, cleaner, and more efficient for the roads ahead.

What is the meaning of car in science?

A car, or an automobile, is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of cars state that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people rather than cargo. There are around 1.644 billion cars in use worldwide as of January 2025.

How is science used in making a car?

From the polymers shaping dashboards and seats to the electroplating that protects metal components, chemistry is at the core of automotive manufacturing. Even fuel, lubricants, and safety features like airbags are a direct result of chemical innovation.

What is the science behind a car?

The science behind a car involves the principles of physics, chemistry, and engineering, primarily transforming energy from fuel into mechanical motion to propel the vehicle. In a standard gasoline car, an internal combustion engine (ICE) uses a four-stroke cycle to burn a fuel-air mixture, creating expanding gases that push a piston to rotate a crankshaft. This mechanical energy then travels through the transmission, driveshaft, differentials, and axles to turn the wheels, generating kinetic energy that moves the car.
 
Here’s a breakdown of the key scientific principles:
1. Energy Conversion (Physics)

• Chemical Energy to Thermal Energy: Opens in new tabThe process begins with the chemical energy stored in gasoline or diesel fuel. 
• Thermal Energy to Mechanical Energy: Opens in new tabIn the engine’s combustion chamber, this fuel is burned, releasing heat (thermal energy). The expanding hot gases create pressure that pushes a piston, converting thermal energy into mechanical energy. 
• Mechanical Energy to Kinetic Energy: Opens in new tabThe mechanical energy from the engine is transferred through a series of components—driveshaft, transmission, differentials, and axles—to the wheels. When the wheels turn, this mechanical energy becomes kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion, causing the car to move. 

2. The Engine Cycle (Physics & Chemistry)

• Four-Stroke Cycle: Most gasoline car engines use a four-stroke cycle to create power: 
  1. Intake: The piston moves down, drawing a mixture of fuel and air into the cylinder. 
  2. Compression: The piston moves up, compressing the fuel-air mixture. 
  3. Power: A spark ignites the compressed mixture, causing a controlled explosion that pushes the piston down, generating power. 
  4. Exhaust: The piston moves up again, pushing the spent exhaust gases out of the cylinder. 
• Combustion: This process relies on the chemical reaction of fuel with oxygen, producing heat and rapidly expanding gases. 

3. The Powertrain (Engineering & Physics)

• Transmission: This system uses gears to adjust the torque and speed sent from the engine to the wheels. 
• Driveshaft & Axles: These components deliver the rotational force from the transmission to the wheels, allowing them to turn. 
• Differentials: These gears enable the wheels to rotate at different speeds, which is crucial for turning corners. 

4. Friction (Physics) 

• Tires and Road: The tires grip the road thanks to friction. This friction is essential for both accelerating and braking, as it allows the tires to push against the road and create the necessary force for the car to move or slow down.

How are cars related to science?

Cars are intrinsically related to science, as their design, function, and safety rely heavily on principles from physics (motion, forces, energy, aerodynamics), chemistry (fuel, materials, batteries, combustion), and materials science (lightweight, strong, durable components). From the energy conversion in the engine and the aerodynamic forces that affect speed, to the chemical reactions in batteries and the chemistry of the materials used for the body, cars are a practical application of scientific understanding.
 
How science applies to cars:

• Physics
  • Motion & Energy: Newton’s laws of motion govern how cars accelerate, stop, and maintain momentum. The engine converts fuel’s chemical energy into kinetic energy (energy of motion). 
  • Force & Friction: Force is used to power and control the vehicle, while friction between the tires and the road (traction) provides grip, and friction in the brakes brings the car to a stop. 
  • Aerodynamics: The shape of a car is designed to manage air resistance (drag) for improved fuel efficiency and performance. 
• Chemistry
  • Fuel & Combustion: In traditional engines, chemistry explains the combustion reaction of fuel and air, which produces energy to power the car. 
  • Materials: The materials that make up a car’s components, from the exterior paint to interior plastics, airbags, and fuel-efficient materials, are all products of chemistry. 
  • Batteries: The development of modern electric and hybrid vehicles relies on advances in battery chemistry, particularly lithium polymer and similar materials. 
• Materials Science
  • Lightweight & Strong Materials: Engineers use advanced materials science to create lightweight, high-strength composites and other materials for car frames and components, which improves fuel efficiency and safety. 
  • Crash Resistance: Materials are engineered to provide impact resistance and enhance passenger protection during collisions. 
• Engineering
  • Automotive Engineering: This field applies scientific principles to design, build, and operate vehicles, developing components like suspension systems, steering, and drivetrain mechanisms. 
  • Vehicle Design: The entire process of car design, from the engine’s mechanics to the vehicle’s shape and how it interacts with its environment, is a testament to applied science and engineering.