Physics for Gearheads: An Introduction to Vehicle Dynamics, Energy, and Power with Examples from Motorsports

Hemmings Motor News - August 2015

BOOKS & LITERATURE
BY JIM DONNELLY

The subtitle of this massive book is "An Introduction to Vehicle Dynamics, Energy, and Power." The author has a doctoral-level degree in mechanical engineering, several patents, and a strong background in mathematics. If you never took physics in high school, perhaps you're a little intimidated by it. When your reviewer studied it, few of the calculations really explained how the laws of nature apply to how things work in the real world. This book lays out hundreds of practical applications as to how they work in the world of cars and motorcycles.

It's huge, running to 604 pages, with more than 300 illustrations and diagrams. The physics are expressed through explanations, algebra and calculus formulas, diagrams and examples. Among the broad topics discussed in its chapters are kinematics, vehicle dynamics,torque, energy applications and statics. The appendices cover Greek letters, math references and a glossary. The sheer volume of information here comes with a caveat that a high proficiency in advanced mathematics is necessary to understand and apply the laws of physics. We peg this as a challenging lesson plan for car enthusiasts who really want to acquire some in-depth knowledge. This is one of the most provocative and fascinating tech books we've encountered in quite some time.

Review from and courtesy of Hemmings Motor News - August 2015

http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2015/08/01/hmn_feature14.html

Autoweek - December 15, 2015

7 must-have car books to brighten any gearhead's holiday

It's not too late to buy one of these fine automotive page-turners for the car person on your list

It may be cutting it close, but you might be able to get some last-minute shopping done by ordering a bunch of these books for your car-crazy family and friends. Even if you miss the all-important Christmas deadline, buy some anyway. They're all worth the price of admission for the dedicated gearhead and/or race fan...

'Physics for Gearheads,' by Randy Beikmann, Ph.D.

Why do you get pushed against the door in a fast turn? You don't, the door gets pushed against you! Beikmann explains the hows and whys of racing in a depth rarely probed by the non-engineer reader. Beikmann is your guide to the intricacies of physics on the track and in the car. He goes in depth on his subjects, but he doesn't go so far that you're overwhelmed and your eyes glaze over. Non-engineers will never really lose track of what Beikmann is saying. Even the equations make sense to the average schmoe (i.e. us). This would be a great textbook for a high school physics class, making the complex subject accessible to a wider audience and getting more kids interested science.

Review from and courtesy of Autoweek - December 15, 2015

http://autoweek.com/article/car-gifts/our-favorite-seven-holiday-gift-books

European Car - November 17, 2015

2015 Holiday Gift Guide for the Petrolhead

If looking for something not written decades ago, the new Physics for Gearheads should be the only physics book needed for automotive enthusiasts.

Review from and courtesy of European Car - November 17, 2015

http://www.superstreetonline.com/features/1511-2015-holiday-gift-guide-for-the-petrolhead/

The Nor'Easter - October 2015

NEW BOOKS
Physics for Gearheads: An Introduction to Vehicle Dynamics, Energy, and Power - with Examples from Motorsports

Earlier this year Bentley sent me Physics for Gearheads to review. I've held back, because I didn't want the review to be so early you wouldn't remember to put it on your holiday shopping list. Because you absolutely should!

As a driver, the information is invaluable. As a gearhead, it's detailed, and deeply fascinating. As a car owner it's instrumental to understanding what your car does and why. As an armchair physicist, it's just a lot of fun!

The book is a true lesson in physics. So if you haven't thought about physics since high school, and high school was a while back, this is a refresher course made interesting by our mutual obsession with cars. If you're a racer or DE driver, and physics is way, way back in your rearview mirror, you're seriously missing out on the advantage true understanding of every aspect of what you're doing out there, because it is ALL physics. When you understand the dynamics of a torque curve, mixed with the centrifugal force applied in a corner to eeek out every millisecond of power, you're way, way ahead of the game. And the name of the game is speed.

So if you are at all precision inclined, and you own, race or drive a high performance car, this book is indispensable. Get it on your list!

Review from and courtesy of The Nor'Easter - The Official Magazine of the Porsche Club of America Northeast Region - October 2015

http://www.porschenet.com/noreaster-online/

Society of Automotive Historians SAH Journal - Issue 275 - July/August 2015

Book review
by Helen V Hutchings

Some books inherently are - or prove over time to be - dependable, thus frequently consulted, resources. Among those on your commentator's shelves are the Kimes/Clark and Georgano encyclopedias, joined by John Lawlor's Auto Math Handbook (HP Books) and either auto dictionary by John Dinkel (Road & Track) or John Edwards (HP Books). Now there's another - just out - that is joining them.

The author Randy Beikmann wrote his book because he'd never forgotten his own years as a student, motivated to learn but with textbooks that were at best uninspiring and boring. They higher math books of theorems, data, equations, etc. were completely devoid of context relating them to his real life interests. Thus decades later, retired from his own accomplished engineering career at GM, he scribed chapters explaining kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, energy, power, dynamics and more.

Mathematics, much less calculus, trigonometry and physics, always seemed a struggle for your commentator despite being fascinated by their logic and ability to interpret and make use of nature's laws. Thus my askance at reading, much less commentating on this book turned to delight finding Randy Beikmann's explanations- enhanced by Bentley Publishers' graphics- and page-designers-not just clear and understandable but actually useable, applicable! And the half-dozen appendices that augment the already clear and useful text illustrated, as mentioned, with graphs, sidebar boxes and the like are the proverbial cake's frosting.

You'll only understand my enthusiasm and praise for this book once your own copy is in hand for it will not languish on the shelves. Rather, with its clear explanations and applications, it will gratify your efforts to understand. Or perhaps you know of a young person who would find just the right level of interest and encouragement of his or her own academic interests between the covers of Physics for Gearheads.

Review from and courtesy of SAH Journal - Issue 275 - July/August 2015

http://www.autohistory.org/

Society of Automotive Historians SAH Journal - Issue 275 - July/August 2015

Book review
by Helen V Hutchings

Some books inherently are - or prove over time to be - dependable, thus frequently consulted, resources. Among those on your commentator's shelves are the Kimes/Clark and Georgano encyclopedias, joined by John Lawlor's Auto Math Handbook (HP Books) and either auto dictionary by John Dinkel (Road & Track) or John Edwards (HP Books). Now there's another - just out - that is joining them.

The author Randy Beikmann wrote his book because he'd never forgotten his own years as a student, motivated to learn but with textbooks that were at best uninspiring and boring. They higher math books of theorems, data, equations, etc. were completely devoid of context relating them to his real life interests. Thus decades later, retired from his own accomplished engineering career at GM, he scribed chapters explaining kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, energy, power, dynamics and more.

Mathematics, much less calculus, trigonometry and physics, always seemed a struggle for your commentator despite being fascinated by their logic and ability to interpret and make use of nature's laws. Thus my askance at reading, much less commentating on this book turned to delight finding Randy Beikmann's explanations- enhanced by Bentley Publishers' graphics- and page-designers-not just clear and understandable but actually useable, applicable! And the half-dozen appendices that augment the already clear and useful text illustrated, as mentioned, with graphs, sidebar boxes and the like are the proverbial cake's frosting.

You'll only understand my enthusiasm and praise for this book once your own copy is in hand for it will not languish on the shelves. Rather, with its clear explanations and applications, it will gratify your efforts to understand. Or perhaps you know of a young person who would find just the right level of interest and encouragement of his or her own academic interests between the covers of Physics for Gearheads.

Review from and courtesy of SAH Journal - Issue 275 - July/August 2015

http://www.autohistory.org/

The Boston Globe - July 12, 2015

Laws of physics for gearheads

Summer reading generally runs toward a page-turning best-seller for the pool or deck or beach. You know, formula writing.

However, we found a different kind of "formula writing" in an automotive book that came our way in May at the automotive technology conference jointly sponsored by MIT and the New England Motor Press Association.

It's Physics for Gearheads by Randy Beikmann, who earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan and has been a technical specialist in automotive noise and vibration since 1983 at General Motors Milford Proving Ground.

Beikmann says, "As a gearhead, you have a secret advantage when it comes to understanding physics: You see it at work every time you solve a problem with your car or watch a motorsports event. The experience you already have tuning cars or motorcycles is your virtual physics lab. 'Physics for Gearheads' will show you that if you can learn about cars, you can learn about physics."

It's 608 pages with 347 photos, diagrams, and illustrations. Plus hundreds of formulas. Retail cost is $79.95 at Bentleypublishers.com.

Maurice Iglesias of Bentley Publishers said that day at the conference, "I'm eager to get your impressions on this book."

My first conclusion is that the operative word here is "gearhead," and the first corollary to that is that I don't fit that description.

Those of us who consider it an achievement to replace a radiator hose, serpentine belt, or headlight don't qualify as gearheads-at least not on this level.

This would be a terrific textbook for a college-level course in automotive engineering, learning how to compute how kinetic energy of a vehicle in motion is converted to heat in the braking process, how the heat in a fuel is turned into power, or how to predict the force on a suspension pushrod.

For me, it's enough to know that it happens, not to be able to compute it.

Beikmann says, "In automotive design, physics is the right tool for splitting the problem up and for solving each part."

He also says, "Don't get the wrong idea, though. This isn't trivial stuff. It took many great thinkers years of effort to develop the laws [of physics] and then gradually combine them into this neat package we call physics."

In an understatement, he says, "Don't worry when you have to read something twice."

Local drag racers will love his formulas for gearing a race car: Is it more important to have a short gear for a quicker start or a longer gear for a higher top speed at the finish? Where is the sweet spot in between?

In each of his chapters, Beikmann starts with an overview, then he advances to specific examples, illustrations, and formulas.

One of his sections deals with the basics of fuel economy and compares internal combustion engines with electric motors.

"Highway driving is mainly cruising at a constant speed, so most of your energy goes to overcoming rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag," he writes. Thus heavier cars with similar aerodynamic profiles don't pay a big fuel economy price on the highway. However, accelerating to those speeds is another story.

As for internal combustion vs. electric, Biekmann writes, "For an IC engine at constant speed, we assume the engine converts 28 percent of the fuel's heat into work, of which 90 percent makes it through the driveline to move the vehicle, for a propulsion efficiency of 25 percent."

So how about the electric vehicle?

"We start at the electric power plant where about 32.5 percent of the fuel energy becomes electric power (67.5 percent goes out the smokestack and cooling tower). Of that 32.5 percent, some is lost in transmission lines and in charging and discharging the vehicle battery and in the motor. The overall propulsion efficiency is 25 percent, about the same as for the internal combustion engine."

With an old lead-acid battery, you'd need about 22 pounds of battery per mile of driving range; with today's Li-Ion, that's down to 2.75 pounds of battery per mile. In contrast, you need about two-tenths of a pound of gasoline or diesel fuel per mile.

In a footnote, Beikmann says, "I was surprised at how close they [gas engines and electric motors] were [in efficiency]. In fact, I felt a little sheepish that this wasn't obvious to me right off. I've gotten over it since."

That's also an example of the humor that Beikmann weaves into his writing, a nice counterpoint to the heavy doses of physical laws and formulas.

He foresees a future using both forms of propulsion with EVs attractive for urban areas for their lack of local pollution, no time wasted idling, and the use of regenerative braking to reclaim energy.

But he also calls the choice between the two a false one because we now have a variety of hybrids to balance the equation, though, as he says, "getting that across to a customer to the extent they can make a logical decision, is no easy task."

Review from and courtesy of The Boston Globe - July 12, 2015

http://www.boston.com/cars/news-and-reviews/2015/07/11/laws-physics-for-gearheads-leaf-charging/wzDcWdHXyEJ1gQxHrzU2DJ/story.html

Petrolicious - July 14, 2015

EVER WONDER WHAT YOUR CAR IS ACTUALLY DOING?

Physics is fundamental to understanding how the world around us works. But to many, just the mere mention of the word "physics" strikes fear into their hearts, because they remember it as a difficult or inscrutable subject from high school or even college classes if they pursued it further.

If, however, a petrolista wanted to garner a better understanding of the unseen forces that come into play whilst driving, turning, and braking, they might wish to consult author Randy Beikmann's book, Physics for Gearheads: An Introduction to Vehicle Dynamics, Energy, and Power.

Physical forces are present in all things, be it at rest or in motion. Whether your interest might be increasing shaving a few tenths off lap times or increasing the power of your engine, Physics for Gearheads explains the physics concepts at play, and demonstrates how one might better harness them for your benefit.

Using examples of road and racing cars, principles such as kinematics, forces, angular dynamics, energy, and power are explained in a methodical, easy-to-understand manner, and often humorous English.

Each chapter provides a solid foundation for the one following, just like you might experience in a real-life physics class. As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words," and Beikmann, an engineer at General Motors who holds a Ph.D in mechanical engineering, has that covered. There are numerous diagrams and illustrations to aid the reader on his or her path to self-discovery, and they provide a deeper understanding of the how and why of a car's reactions during acceleration, cornering, coasting, or braking under varied road conditions.

It's not all theoretical, either: a basic application or understanding of Newton's laws of motion, the three principles that are the cornerstone of classical mechanics (and of course this book), may well influence how you view speed, acceleration, the thrills and dangers of racing, and how you drive your own car.

Physics for Gearheads is not necessarily a simple book, or for the uninitiated. While Beikmann explains complicated concepts in ordinary language, it is still a weighty tome more geared (pardon the pun) towards the automotive engineer or racer.

That being said, if you are looking for a primer in physics that covers the major aspects and principles, and are also an automotive enthusiast, Beikmann's book will make an invaluable contribution to your science education...and perhaps make you a better driver too.

Review from and courtesy of Petrolicious - July 14, 2015

http://www.petrolicious.com/ever-wonder-what-your-car-is-actually-doing

National Science Teachers Association
NSTA recommends - July 7, 2015

Physics for Gearheads is an awesome resource for bringing relevance to an introductory physics class. The pictures and corresponding text truly bring the concepts to life. I would use this as a companion text for a general physics class or as a curriculum text for an elective or choice class.

Do you like to drive your car as well as work on it? Does watching car races and motorcycle competitions intrigue you? Do your students like to work on cars and motorcycles? If so, all of you can learn physics by solving problems and formulating solutions as "gearheads".

Physics for Gearheads uses units of measurement in SI or British Engineering units.There are a total of seventeen chapters that deal with a Warm-Up Lap; Kinematics Basics and Applications; Forces; Dynamics Basics and Applications; Torque, Force Resolution, and 2-D Vectors; Angular Dynamics Basics and Applications; Energy Basics and Applications; Power Basics and Applications; as well as Statics and Quasi-Statics Basics and Applications.

This engaging book is written by Randy Beikmann who is a top automotive engineer with a great love for physics. He expertly teaches us, using a common sense approach, about how a car really works and what is involved in motorsports and racing. Randy has a PhD and works at GM's Milford Proving Grounds; so he knows what he's talking about in this 600 page book. He also holds three patents and teaches classes at GM within his engineering specialty.

Review from and courtesy of National Science Teachers Association / NSTA Recommends - July 7, 2015

http://www.nsta.org/recommends2/ViewProduct.aspx?ProductID=22383

Hot Rod Engine Tech:
The High Performance Engine Builder's Technical Resource - June 14 2015

Book Review

As gearheads most of us possess a relatively keen understanding of how automotive systems function. We came by it largely through observation and examination of the various parts and assemblies along with word-of-mouth explanations from friends, mechanics, books and various other resources. Some functions and processes seem relatively intuitive on the surface, but there are solid scientific reasons and explanations for all of them. A new reference book, Physics for Gearheads by Randy Beikmann PhD. provides the detailed explanations you need to fully understand the intricate mechanical functions of high performance automobiles and race cars.

"There is no better way to learn physics than by having a difficult problem to solve."

Diehard gearheads enjoy a hidden advantage when it comes to understanding physics because the magic of it is revealed and demonstrated to them every day in their jobs, projects and even motorsports events. The experience you already have building and tuning cars or motorcycles is equivalent to you own personal Physics 101 lab. Physics for Gearheads completes the course by explaining the basic physics behind the automotive functions you are already familiar with.

Whether your interest is in increasing your engine's horsepower, getting more miles per gallon, or shaving tenths off your lap time on track day, you can use physics to understand the problems and determine the most effective solutions. Physics for Gearheads not only explains physics principles in language you can understand, it demonstrates how to use physics to your advantage to increase your car's performance and even improve your driving skills for racing.

Physics for Gearheads allows the reader to work in SI or British Engineering units so those unfamiliar with the metric system can follow easily and slowly incorporate it into their knowledge base. The accompanying list of chapters sounds daunting at first , but it simply describes physical functions and properties that apply to all your performance requirements. Some of it will require you to think a little harder, but it becomes almost second nature as the author reveals the scientific principles that govern everything you do.

Engine guys will appreciate the wealth of formulas and equations defining critical functions such as mean piston speed and acceleration and the effects of rod ratio on power and torque production. The underlying greatness of this book is seen in the simple explanations of complex subjects and concepts and how to incorporate simple basic math to describe your own problems and derive effective solutions.

The book describes how and why your car runs, makes power, accelerates, corners and brakes under varying road conditions including the race track. It presents specific formulas for the "ideal drag racer" to apply in the pursuit of lower ET's and higher trap speeds. It thoroughly dissects the mechanics of road racing and oval track performance based on statics, center of gravity, weight distribution and load transfer.

There are 17 chapters and more than 600 pages describing every aspect of vehicle dynamics and motion, force and vectors and all the core science that makes a car perform. Multiple appendixes, an in-depth glossary and detailed index permit quick navigation to the topic of your choice. This book is destined to become the new bible of performance engineering for the regular guy. You will refer to it over and over again and it will likely become thoroughly dog-eared addition to the rule books and cam cards in the top of your tool box. The author's style is engaging without the intimidation that often accompanies a read of this nature.

This book is a "Must Read" for every gearhead, car guy and performance enthusiast.

Review from and courtesy of Hot Rod Engine Tech - June 14 2015

http://hotrodenginetech.com/physics-for-gearheads/

BestRide.com - June 10, 2015

BOOKS: "Physics for Gearheads" Answers All the Auto Physics Questions You Were Too Dumb To Ask

Randy Beikmann - holder of a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan - has come up with a way for all of us half-educated car people to understand what our cars are doing underneath us as we drive. Physics for Gearheads is a full-on textbook of answers to the questions we motorheads have every single day.

Motorcyclists - at least those who haven't ridden straight through a corner - have a seat of the pants understanding of physics. How you get through a corner is a sort of black magic of physics called countersteering. To understand how all this works, you turn to the subhead "Tire Force Generation in Motorcycles" in Biekmann's book Physics for Gearheads, and read the explanation of how it works:

"Instead of steering into a curve, you initially steer out of the curve, which leans you into it. Apparently, a lot of riders don't even realize this, because they drive by instinct. But tugging on the right handlebar banks you into a left turn, and vice versa. Good to know in a tight spot."

So there you have a very basic explanation of how countersteering works, which you can find in a lot of books on motorcycling basics. Where Beikmann's book shines, though, is in the deeper explanation:

"With a given load F_Load and a given camber angle Γ (spelled 'gamma' and pronounced GA-muh), the tire will produce a certain lateral force F_Lat. Without getting into the details, as the tire leans, its contact patch material becomes warped from a banana shape into a straight line, This distortion of the carcass results in the tire pushing sideways, producing a lateral force F_Lat, called 'camber thrust.'

"While camber thrust produces the majority of the cornering force in a motorcycle, the rider does use slip angle to adjust the exact cornering force needed at a certain lean angle. You might say that camber puts it in the ballpark, while lateral slip fine-tunes; but the rider is probably unaware of doing it."

If that all sounds wayyyy too complicated, there are ample charts, graphs and illustrations to make sense of it all.

Beikmann spent 30 years as an automotive engineer with General Motors. He's a technical specialist in noise and vibration at the Milford Proving Grounds, and he's published numerous papers on powertrain noise and vibration.

It's a substantial 593-page textbook, with 17 chapters, 6 appendices, an index, plus references and further reading, but it's not the kind of book you're going to sit down and read cover-to-cover. It's really designed to start answering specific questions you have about the physical forces working on our cars, trucks and motorcycles. The book provides straightforward answers written in plain English so you don't need a degree to understand what's going on.

The first chapter is what Beikmann calls a "warm-up lap," a very basic understanding of the physical properties that make a car work. From there, the balance of the chapters are broken into pairs:

• Kinematics, in Chapters 2 and 3
• Dynamics, in chapters 4 and 6
• Angular Dynamics, in chapters 8 and 9
• Dynamics in a Plane, in chapters 10 and 11
• Energy, in chapters 12 and 13
• Power, in chapters 14 and 15
• Statics and Quasi-Statics, in chapters 16 and 17

The missing chapters in that list are called "support chapters," used to describe things like forces, torque and vectors.

The beginning of each chapter has a list of terms describing physical quantities, their definitions, any special symbols you'll need to know, and units of measurement. The end of each chapter features a summary, pulling the new material together and providing perspective.

This could all be pretty dry stuff if Beikmann didn't write in such a friendly, helpful tone. It's a book that takes complex physical explanations and puts them in the real world, relating them to experiences we've all had behind the wheel, or under the hood.

If you've ever really wanted to understand how a car works, but, like me, you wasted your time in college getting a degree in English, this is the book for you. Lots of books exist about cars, and lots of books exist about physics, but none of them pull the two ideas together in a practical volume like this one. Think of this as "Physics for Dummies" for people who aren't dummies.

Review from and courtesy of BestRide.com - June 10, 2015

http://bestride.com/blog/books-physics-for-gearheads-answers-all-the-auto-physics-questions-you-were-too-dumb-to-ask/19788/

Simanaitis Says - June 1, 2015

PHYSICS FOR GEARHEADS

MY HIGH-SCHOOL physics teacher liked cameras. Following his whims, and not any school board guidelines, I came away with a deep appreciation for optics. He evidently hated levers. And, to this day, despite a Ph.D. in the mathematics of dynamic systems theory, I am baffled by simple mechanical devices that would be easy-peasy for a balanced first-year student of physics.

Have I got a book for me!

Beikmann's Ph.D. is in mechanical engineering. He's a specialist in NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) at GM's Milford Proving Grounds. And he credits his high school physics teacher with getting him started in the right direction.

The Physics for Gearheads topics are standard ones: Kinematics (movement in a straight line), Dynamics (forces, mass and acceleration), Energy (work, motion, heat and the First Law of Thermodynamics), Power (getting work done), and Statics and quasi-statics (center of gravity, weight distribution and load transfer). Chapters of non-trivial motorsports applications follow the theory, and these make Beikmann's book even more special.

Nor does he shy away from formulae. Rather, he begins intuitively, then builds on this. For instance, in the Kinematics chapter, he defines average speed as the total distance traveled divided by the time it took to do it: S Avg = d total /t. In the next chapter, Kinematics Applications, he extends this idea to analyze why Formula 1 engines can rev 18,000 rpm while NASCAR engines are kept to around 9500. (Hint: The section's subtitle is "Different Strokes.")

Beikmann assumes no formal knowledge of calculus. Instead, he appeals to its underlying idea of change, represented by Δ. Pre-calc readers aren't put off by dv/dt and the like; those with calculus background know where he's headed and will appreciate the sharpening of intuition.

The book collects key formulae at the end of each chapter. It also contains six Appendices, one of which offers selected derivations of formulae using calculus.

I enjoy Beikmann's putting things in historical perspective: Sir Isaac Newton, of course, makes several appearances. So too does French natural philosopher Sadi Carnot, whose 1824 analysis of "heat engines" offered the concept of Carnot Cycle, what Beikmann calls "the theoretical gold standard of engine efficiency."

Beikmann's writing is concise. Concerning the First Law of Thermodynamics, he says, "Knowing that energy cannot be created or destroyed gives you a very clear and powerful way to look at physics." The illustrations are clear (and occasionally witty): High-performance acceleration is exemplified by a Porsche 911. The physics of a car being towed uses a Tribant.

I like Beikmann's approach to learning: "Regardless of your background, 'soak time' is important... So while a lot of this book is about speed, reading it is not. Take your time, and enjoy it!"

Last, there's hardly any optics. ds

Review from and courtesy of Simanaitis Says - June 1, 2015

SimanaitiSsays.com/2015/06/01/physics-for-gearheads/

Physics Education - May 2015

Racing Physics

The author, an automotive engineer at General Motors in Detroit, wrote this book for people like himself, called 'gearheads'. After consulting a dictionary, I can tell you that a gearhead is someone who is mad about cars, often also having the practical knowledge and skills to modify and repair cars. ('Keenly interested in cars' seems an understatement.) People like this want to know how things work and how performance can be improved. Beikmann's contention is that 'if you can learn about cars, you can learn about physics.' The book not only explains physics principles, but also demonstrates how to use physics to 'increase your engine's horsepower, get more miles per gallon, or shave seconds off your lap time on track day'.

The scope of the book is limited by its focus on cars and motorcycles. It covers kinematics, statics and dynamics (including angular motion and 2D motion), energy (including the first and second laws of thermodynamics) and power.

The book has many positive features. It emphasizes the importance of visualizing and conceptualizing a physical situation, rather than 'blindly plugging numbers into formulas'. It also locates physics concepts either in the historical context from which they arose, or in real problems where applying a physics analysis gives insight and leads to solutions. Throughout the book there are fully worked examples of calculations. Diagrams are generally clear and helpful. The narrative style sounds personally addressed to the reader. Every chapter has its boxes identifying a 'key concept' and ends with a useful 'summary' plus relevant equations. Calculus-based derivations, for those who wish to go further, are placed in an appendix.

On the other hand, it is very apparent that the book was published for the American market, undermining its potential appeal elsewhere. The recommended reading is available solely from US publishers. Physical quantities and calculations are given in two systems of measurement, SI units recognized globally, and slug-foot-second units used only in the US. Unfortunately, the latter units are standard throughout the book (perversely referred to as 'British units'); for example, mass has units of either slug or pound-mass (lbm), forces are given in units of pound-force (lbf), energies in ft-lbf, accelerations in units of ft/sec². Not only are seconds shown as sec, but also minutes are shown as min and volume is given in gallons. It's no wonder that the Mars Climate Orbiter crashed into Mars in 1999, instead of entering an orbit around the planet, because the design team had mixed their units of measurement. There are other Americanisms; e.g. the word mathematics is shortened to 'math' and quantitative physical relationships are referred to as 'formulas'. Idiosyncratically, the author has also chosen to use the symbol S for speed, to distinguish it from velocity v.

If you happen to be a gearhead, you may really like this book. Within the US it cannot be used as a general physics textbook because of its limited scope, mentioned above. Outside of the US it could be useful to physics teachers seeking example situations related to motor vehicles, or to examiners looking for new contexts in which to set questions. I'd certainly not recommend the book for students, because of its awkward and unfamiliar measurement units.

Review from and courtesy of Physics Education - May 2015

http://iopscience.iop.org/0031-9120/50/3/372/pdf/0031-9120_50_3_372.pdf

Peter Wright, Renowned motorsports engineering expert and author of Formula 1 Technology - May 15, 2015

Physics for Gearheads, by Randy Beikmann, is a superbly presented 590 page volume, crammed full of everything a car enthusiast might need if they wish to go beyond the performance figures in the sales brochure. Starting at first principles, the book provides theory and equations to analyse all aspects of the performance of road and racing cars, in a way that is easily accessed.

I was puzzled initially about who this book is aimed at. Undoubtedly schools and colleges, where it will provide a useful stimulus to those studying physics. The car enthusiast? Yes, provided they are mathematically competent. The racing car engineer? Not sure. It is a handy reference for that momentarily forgotten equation, but so much is either now embedded in software or easily available on the Web that I am not sure how thumbed it would become.

The author has used his teaching experience to lay out each subject matter in an extremely clear way, and provided illustrations to assist in understanding the text and equations. The book is eminently readable.

Professional Engineering - May 2015

Book Of The Month...May 2015

Love cars? And love physics? Then this is the book for you. Its author, mechanical engineer Randy Beikmann, wanted to write an introduction to vehicle dynamics, energy and power with examples from motorsports, and he does a grand job of it, too.

Beikmann has been a car nut for 35 years. During his time spent tinkering under the bonnet, he got frustrated at how general physics books failed to relate to automotive matters. So he set about filling that void with a book about classical physics applied to automotive problems.

It's a concept that works well. Each main topic is covered in the same sequence, with one chapter on the basics, and another on applications. Physical laws are described and put into a formula, usually an equation, and then applied with imaginative examples. So, if you want to learn about Newton's discovery of centripetal force and acceleration, you can. Or if torque, force resolutions and 2D vectors are your thing, that's here, too. Other chapters cover the basics and applications of kinematics, angular dynamics, energy, power, and statics and quasi-statics.

The book is a mix of calculations, graphs and schematics, with colour photos of cars under test-track conditions, proving various concepts such as lateral load transfer.

Physics for Gearheads runs to almost 600 pages. That accounts for the hefty price - $79.95. But it's an informative, well-executed publication that works a treat.

Review from and courtesy of Professional Engineering, the official magazine of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers - May 2015

www.imeche.org/news/features/book-of-the-month...-may-2015

Speed Secrets Weekly - April 21, 2015

But wait, there's more...

Are you a gearhead? Hmmm... there's a darn good chance that if you're reading Speed Secrets Weekly, you are.

But are you interested in understanding the physics of cars and racing? If so, you'll love Randy Beikmann's book, Physics for Gearheads.

This is the book that I wish I'd had when taking physics classes in school. In fact, if you have a kid studying physics, and he has even a passing interest in cars, get a copy of this book.

But understand: this is not just for kids or physics class. It could be for you, the gearhead. I'll guarantee one thing: you'll learn a ton from it (and probably understand what a "ton" of learning is!).

Review from and courtesy of Speed Secrets Weekly - April 21, 2015

www.SpeedSecretsWeekly.com

Physics Forums - April 3, 2015

This is a textbook literally geared towards the automotive engineer and car enthusiast.

The text is extremely well laid out with colorful chapter subheadings, key concepts, formula highlights and plenty of diagrams. The level of the text would be appropriate for early engineering undergrads however an advanced high school student could easily go through the book. Advanced engineers could also use this as a very handy reference for vehicle dynamics.

Review from and courtesy of www.PhysicsForums.com - April 3, 2015

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/physics-for-gearheads.806532/

All About Vettes - April 2015

Book review

Once in a great while a book comes along that totally captivates your interest, especially when it explains complex concepts and laws in plain, easy-to-understand English. Physics for Gearheads is such a book. If you ever wanted to get a better understanding of the forces that come into play when driving, turning, braking and racing your Corvette, this is indeed the book for you!

As a gearhead, you have a secret advantage when it comes to understanding physics: you see it at work every time you solve a problem with your car or watch a motorsports event. The experience you already have tuning cars or motorcycles is your virtual physics lab. Physics for Gearheads will show you that if you can learn about cars, you can learn about physics.

Whether your interest is in increasing your engine's horsepower, getting more miles per gallon, or shaving tenths off your lap time on track day, you can use physics to gain insight into the problem and formulate a solution. Physics for Gearheads not only explains physics principles in language you can understand, it demonstrates how to use physics to your advantage.

Note on the units of measurement used in Physics for Gearheads: This book outfits the reader to work in SI or British Engineering units.

Randy Beikmann is an automotive engineer working at the top of the industry. And he loves physics. Through his masterful teaching, physics doesn't look foreign - it looks like common sense. If it has anything at all to do with automotive physics, he covers it in this book with the chapters:

1. A Warm-Up Lap
2. Kinematics Basics
3. Kinematics Applications
4. Dynamics Basics
5. Forces
6. Dynamics Applications
7. Torque, Force Resolution, and 2-D Vectors
8. Angular Dynamics Basics
9. Angular Dynamics Applications
10. Dynamics in a Plane Basics
11. Dynamics in a Plane Applications
12. Energy Basics
13. Energy Applications
14. Power Basics
15. Power Applications
16. Statics and Quasi-Statics Basics
17. Statics and Quasi-Statics Applications

So, if you've ever wondered what forces are at work to make your Corvette behave the way it does in certain situations, you'll find it in this book. Because Corvettes, like everything else on this planet, are obliged to comply with the laws of physics. Sit down with the book, read it and look at the visuals that dynamically illustrate the text, and the mysteries of physics will be unveiled for you. Most highly recommended!

Review from and courtesy of All About Vettes - April 2015

http://allaboutvettes.com/

DRIVR.Be - March 4, 2015

BoekenTip: Physics For Gearheads

Geef toe. Hoe goed je bepaalde situaties als rasechte DRIVR ook kunt inschatten door ervaring en techniek, een portie geluk en een uit de kluiten gewassen stel cojones zijn altijd mooi meegenomen. Al komt het eigenlijk allemaal neer op een keiharde wetenschapsoefening. Alles is te verklaren, en dat is net wat Physics for Gearheads probeert te realiseren op een vrij ludieke en vooral petrol minded wijze.

De leuze 'werk om de wetenschap te verstaan en de wetenschap zal voor je werken', is er een die ondergetekende tot voor kort nog nooit had gehoord, maar wel kan appreciëren. De wetenschap achter het rijden is namelijk net zo belangrijk als het rijden zelf. Met die gedachte probeert auteur Randy Beikmann de angst die velen krijgen bij het zien van vreemde symbolen en formules te neutraliseren door heel nuchter en gestructureerd te werk te gaan, inclusief de nodige humor.

Beikmann verwoordt het als volgt: "Many good creative inventors have done their work solely by intuition. But a good background in physics would help them avoid many dead ends. It helps to know the rules if you're going to play the game." Hij voegt er wel aan toe dat het per se een autoboek is: "The ideal physics book would use cars to illustrate every area of physics", al kun je het zeker en vast ook gebruiken om je afstelling te verbeteren en 'slimmer' te rijden.

Je kunt het boek ook gewoon gebruiken om een antwoord te zoek op een praktisch probleem, zonder je te moeten verdiepen in een eindeloze resem formules. Beikmann verduidelijkt: "Remember that math is just a tool." Beschouw het boek op zich dus ook gerust als 'tool', die je zowel voor mechanische doeleinden als op vlak van het rijden zelf kan begeleiden. Of je kunt blijven inzetten op ervaring, geluk en een bovengemiddelde portie lef. Hunt - Lauda, iemand?

English language version below
courtesy of Google Translate.

Book tip: Physics For Gearheads

Admit it. How well do you certain situations as purebred DRIVR also can estimate by experience and technique, a bit of luck and a washed pair of cojones the clods are always good. Though it actually is all down to a tough exercise science. Everything is explained, and that's just what Physics for Gearheads trying to achieve on a fairly entertaining and above all petrol minded manner.

The slogan "To understand the science and science will work for you," is one that undersigned until recently had never heard, but can appreciate. The science behind the drive is just as important as the ride itself. With that thought tries author Randy Beikmann the fear that many get to neutralize at the sight of strange symbols and formulas throughout sober and structured to proceed, including the necessary humor.

Beikmann puts it as follows: "Many good creative inventors have done Their work solely by intuition. But a good background in physics would help them avoid many dead ends. It helps to know the rules if you're going to play the game." He however adds that the book is necessarily a car. "The ideal physics book would use cars to illustrate every area of physics", although you it certainly can use to improve your alignment and smarter driving.

You can use the book just to find an answer to a practical problem, without you having to delve into an endless host of formulas. Beikmann explains: "Remember that math is just a tool." Consider also the book feel as a 'tool' that you both for mechanical purposes and in terms of driving can guide itself. Or you can continue to focus on experience, luck and an above average daring. Hunt - Lauda, anyone?

Review from and courtesy of DRIVR.Be - March 4, 2015

http://drivr.be/2015/03/04/boekentip-physics-for-gearheads/

Speedreaders.info - February 26, 2015

Unless you believe a hamster in his wheel-or that tiger in the tank-is what makes your car move, why not explore the science behind it all? This book makes it-almost-easy!

1) The physics is applied to cars.

2) The explanations are clear and easy to read.

3) The author has a sense of humor.

4) All of the above.

The correct answer is: 4) All of the above.

If, like me, you are a gearhead who enjoys building things, this book is a godsend of practical equations that, once understood, will allow you to raise your intuitive abilities to a higher level. A good gearhead always gets "very close" to the perfect answer. This book drops "very close" out of the equation. Throw some physics from this book on the "very close" answer, and everything becomes "exactly right." It also makes what you build look professional, with a shape to it that is simultaneously gearhead clever and physics efficient. No wasted motion or mass. All forces accounted for.

As they say, once you know how to work the math, the math will work for you. Any of the math in this book you don't understand can be looked up somewhere and figured out. I personally have no math background, so if I can understand what author Randy Beikmann is saying, so can you. Fear not the odd-looking symbol! Any serious car nut will be able to figure out what the symbol means after what it represents is clearly described in the text. "Oh, that!" I hear you say. "I know what that is."

To quote this book's author, "Many good creative inventors have done their work solely by intuition. But a good background in physics would help them avoid many dead ends. It helps to know the rules if you're going to play the game." To that, I say "Hear, hear!" Combining common sense with physics always equals a better answer.

While this book will help you set up your car, it is not intended to be a car set-up book. It's a physics book. The author, because of his love for cars, felt that "the ideal physics book would use cars to illustrate every area of physics." This book is one that the author "could have used as a teenager." His idea is to give the reader valuable insight into how physics can be used to advantage by explaining the laws of physics in terms that a car nut will easily understand. Beikmann does not use his Ph.D. status to make learning hard by "Piling it higher and Deeper," as we used to joke at the University Faculty Club. This book is written so well that you don't have to be a math wiz to understand what you're being told. You do need to want to learn, and it will require some thinking. But if you are of average intelligence and willing to make an effort, then it's all here, and the secrets of physics will be revealed. These hidden truths will give you powers that others do not possess.

The book opens with the five Fundamental Laws of Physics and a chart of Dimensions and Consistent Units that are used throughout the text. After that a Table of Contents lists the 17 Chapters that make up the bulk of the book. Chapter 1 is "A Warm-up Lap" that tells the reader why physics matter, what's to come within the book, and how the physics will be explained in four different ways: verbal, mathematical, as a diagram, and by real-life example. If the reader understands any one of these four explanations, they will understand the concepts presented throughout the book. After that, chapters include "Kinematics Basics," "Dynamics Basics," "Energy Basics," "Power Basics," and last, but not least, "Statics and Quasi-Statics Applications," where center of gravities, contact forces, and "vehicle design for maximum performance" are discussed.

At the end of each chapter the formulas used within the chapter are listed and numbered so that the reader may refer to them as necessary. These equations can be used to obtain answers to similar questions that you may have on a project of your own. This allows you to use the formulas without having to get a degree in mathematics. All I personally want in these situations is an answer, I don't need to understand the beauty of the number theory behind how the equation works. As Beikmann puts it, "Remember that math is just a tool."

After the 17 Chapters there are six Appendices covering "Units and Conversions," "Greek Letters and Pronunciations," "Math Reference," "Symbols," and "Selected Derivations," all of which can be referred to by the reader as needed. A very nice Index follows the Appendices. The books listed in the "References and Recommended Reading" section are all great and worth buying if you want to expand your knowledge in the fields covered. Excellent books that tell you how to set up your car are included in this section, if that's your ultimate goal. A page of Acknowledgements follows the references, which in turn is followed by the About the Author page. Not only does Beikmann have a Ph.D. in physics, he works for General Motors as a noise and vibration specialist, and has to his credit a long list of published technical papers as well as three patents. He also has a weakness for occasional puns and/or wordplay like "wrenching examples," and "getting your shift together."

When I read a book like this one, I assume the equations are accurate; I just read the text and examine the diagrams for how forces affect each other, with an eye on my own projects. After reading the entire book, I return to the section that best applies to what I want to do, and learn to work the formulas for that specific topic. In that sense, I now consider this book to be part of my small but serious library of math toolkits, to be pulled out and consulted as required.

After reading this book you'll find new words creeping into your vocabulary, and your friends will think you're smarter than you used to be.

Review from and courtesy of Speedreaders.info - February 26, 2015

http://speedreaders.info/14391-physics-gearheads/

MC2 Magazine - February 26, 2015

Now here's a book all the know-it-alls on the MINI forums should read! Physics For Gearheads, written by a genuine Ph.D that works for GM's Milford Proving Grounds, is 600 pages of fascinating facts, information on vehicle dynamics, energy, aero and other "egghead" stuff. Great read- but you have to think about it! Published by Bentley Books, the guys with the great MINI manuals, it's pricey but it's a reference book that will be with you for years.

Review from and courtesy of MC2 Magazine - The Independent American Magazine for all Mini Owners - February 25, 2015

Adam's Auto Advice - February 25, 2015

Physics for Gearheads Review

Review by James Halderman, author of Automotive Technology - Principles, Diagnosis, and Service among many other technical automotive textbooks.

As an author of 15 automotive college textbooks, it is not often that I am asked to review another automotive book, in this case Physics for Gearheads. However, this title does not compete against any of my titles (visit jameshalderman.com) but instead is designed for the automotive enthusiast who has a technical background and wants the engineering explained as it relates to motorsports. These enthusiasts, who the author calls "gearheads", should have college-level physics to get the most from this title. It is organized and written in such a manner that it can be read or studied as individual topics. The author also suggests that the reader allow time to fully absorb the content before moving on to another chapter. The chapters are organized, not by the parts or systems of a car, but rather by the physics concepts which include:

• Kinematics - (Discussed in Chapters 2 and 3)
• Dynamics - (Discussed in chapters 4 and 6)
• Forces - (Discussed in Chapter 5)
• Angular Dynamics - (Discussed in Chapters 8 and 9)
• Dynamics in a Plane - (Chapters 10 and 11)
• Energy - (Discussed in chapters 12 and 13)
• Power - (Discussed in Chapters 14 and 15)
• Statics and Quasi-Statics - (Discussed in Chapters 16 and 17)

As an author myself, I know how hard it is to organize content and writing into a reasonable readable flow, but this organization in Physics for Gearheads is hard for me to understand. While all of these concepts are associated with motorsports, I would have organized it around the systems of the vehicles such as tires, suspension, drivetrain and then discuss the various physics concept that apply to each area. Regardless of how I would organize the content, I found the book to be very well written and accurately covers the physics associated with all motorsports and racing.

The Interior Design Features

• Examples
• Key Concepts
• Notes
• Major Point
• Cautions

These features help the reader by making the text perfectly clear and helps prevent misunderstandings. However, this text is written in second person (you, we, your, let's etc.) which I think distracts from a technical text where I prefer the use of third person. I doubt few will notice but it does tend to sound as if the author is talking down to the reader at times.

Big Plus of Physics for Gearheads

I loved appendix 2 (pronunciations). Great idea. Who doesn't need help with this once in awhile?

What I Missed Seeing

I missed real world case studies where a vehicle owner wants to know what affect a change in tires size (width or diameter) would have on the acceleration, cornering etc.

Review from and courtesy of www.AdamsAutoAdvice.com - February 25, 2015

http://www.adamsautoadvice.com/physics-for-gearheads-review/

Popular Science UK - February 14, 2015

One of this site's favourite physics books is Physics for Future Presidents, so having a 'Physics for...' format is certainly no negative - and I count myself as a paid-up petrolhead, which I assume is similar to the term 'gearhead' which I've never encountered before (and neither has my spellchecker).

In fact that American term hides a much bigger problem that is encountered as early as page 3. No one in Europe gets taught physics in feet and pounds and degrees Fahrenheit these days - so it is immediately baffling that we get force measured in pounds as in 'This comes from the road surface pushing up on the tire contact patches with a total force of 1,500 lb.' The other concern about the first few pages is that we've launched into what the author admits is a discussion of classical physics, using a term like 'force' that is frequently misused in ordinary English without ever saying what a force is. It's just assumed that we know. Once we get into equations that lack of proper scientific units gets even more hairy. I just can't look at an equation working out force in a cylinder from pressure times an area as (500 pounds/inch2) x (12.566 inch2) without feeling I'm reading something from Victorian times.

Of course, in the UK we are mixed up when it comes to units. We buy our petrol in litres and measure temperatures in Celsius but we still measure car speeds in miles per hour and distances in miles - but the rest of Europe doesn't, and, as I stressed, all our school teaching about physics will have been using MKS metric units. Admittedly from chapter 2 onwards, the book does at least mention what the MKS units are, but it still tends to do its the examples using the old Imperial units (known here as 'SFS' units and as 'SAE' units - not sure what the difference is) - and some of these, like 'slug' as the unit of mass, I've never even heard of.

All this is a bit of shame, as there's lots of good material in the book. It read too much like a textbook (too reminiscent of the sort of thing I had to plough through at school for my liking), but is cleanly and attractively laid out and gets a lot of material in, usually giving a thorough and well-paced run through. Reading it was work rather than pleasure, but it was useful work if you want to have the tools to work out all the kinds of mechanical forces and energies and such involved in making a car go. As such, I'm not sure it's a fun read for someone who likes tinkering with cars, but it would be a great primer for would-be American auto engineers, and as such I will glowingly recommend it. (The pricing reflects this too - it's priced at over £44 in the UK.)

So this is a book that really only works for a US market and that is much more textbook for budding engineers than popular science for petrolheads. I would love to see a true popular science equivalent - one that explains the science behind the way cars work without all the tedious workings out - but this isn't it.

Review from and courtesy of Popular Science UK - February 14, 2015

http://popsciencebooks.blogspot.com/2015/02/physics-for-gearheads-randy-beikmann.html