Physics: The Foundation of Automotive Engineering

Physics is the scientific study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces that govern the universe. Derived from the Greek word “physikos,” meaning “natural,” physics seeks to understand the principles behind everything from the largest scales of the cosmos to the smallest subatomic particles. It’s also the foundation this entire site is built on: nearly every automotive engineering topic covered here, from crash safety to suspension tuning to EV battery cooling, is an application of core physics principles.

Chalkboard covered in physics equations representing forces, energy, and motion
The physics principles behind forces, energy, and motion underpin nearly every topic on this site, from crashworthiness to suspension design.

How Physics Shows Up in Automotive Engineering

A strong physics background isn’t just a prerequisite to get through on the way to an engineering degree — it’s the toolkit automotive engineers actually reach for every day. The concepts below are the same ones taught in an introductory physics course, applied directly to vehicle engineering:

  • Newton’s Second Law & Momentum Conservation — the same F=MA and conservation-of-momentum principles taught in mechanics are what engineers use to calculate crash forces and design structures that protect occupants. See how this plays out in our guide to crashworthiness.
  • Center of Gravity & Moment of Inertia — where a vehicle’s mass is located and how it’s distributed are critical physics concepts for predicting vehicle behavior. A vehicle’s moment of inertia and center of gravity height directly affect vehicle dynamics and rollover risk, influence brake system performance, and are key inputs engineers use to predict how a vehicle will behave in the event of a crash.
  • Thermodynamics — the laws governing heat and energy transfer are directly applied in EV battery thermal management and internal combustion engine design.
  • Oscillation & Vibration — the physics of springs and oscillating systems is the basis for suspension design and sway bar tuning.
  • Forces & Leverage — basic force and lever-arm principles explain how a weight-distributing hitch works, covered in our guide to towing and weight distribution.

Is it a good idea to major in physics?

In terms of careers, a degree in physics offers diverse career opportunities across various sectors. Graduates in physics are highly sought after by employers in both government and industry. They can pursue careers in telecommunications, electronics, computing, quality control testing, banking, insurance, teaching, management, technical sales, and the armed forces. You could work in research, exploring the universe’s mysteries and pushing our knowledge’s boundaries. Or you could work in industries like automotive, aerospace, or technology, where a deep understanding of physics is crucial — in fact, a physics degree, much like a mechanical engineering degree, is a common path into the automotive industry, particularly for roles in vehicle dynamics, powertrain research, and CAE (computer-aided engineering).

Does a physics major pay well?

As for salary, it depends on what you do with your physics degree. According to the American Institute of Physics, the median salary for physicists in the United States is around $122,000 annually. However, not everyone who has a physics degree becomes a physicist. When you look at the average across all physics majors in the United States the annual salary is much lower at $62,150, which translates to an hourly wage of $29.88. The top 10 percent of earners in this field make over $118,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent earn less than $32,000 per year.

So, if you’re someone who loves asking questions about how things work and you’re not afraid of a little math, physics might just be the perfect field for you!

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Physics Cheat Sheet

ConceptDefinitionUnits
ForcePush or pull on an objectNewtons (N)
Newton’s Laws1. Object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force.
2. Force equals mass times acceleration.
3. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.		–
EnergyAbility to do workJoules (J)
Kinetic EnergyEnergy of motionJoules (J)
Potential EnergyEnergy stored in an object due to its position or conditionJoules (J)
WorkForce applied over a distanceJoules (J)
PowerThe total momentum of a system remains constant if no external forces act on itWatts (W)
MomentumMass times velocity of an objectKilogram meters per second (kg m/s)
Conservation of EnergyEnergy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed–
Conservation of MomentumThe force of attraction between objects with mass–
GravityForce of attraction between objects with massNewtons (N)
ElectromagnetismInteraction between electrically charged particles–
ThermodynamicsStudy of heat and energy transfer–
OpticsStudy of light and its behavior–
Quantum MechanicsStudy of particles on the smallest scales–
Physics Cheat Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is physics important for automotive engineering?
Physics provides the fundamental principles — forces, energy, motion, and thermodynamics — that automotive engineers apply directly to crash safety, suspension design, powertrain thermal management, and vehicle dynamics.

What physics topics matter most for automotive engineers?
Newtonian mechanics (forces, momentum), thermodynamics, and the physics of oscillating systems (vibrations) are the physics topics most directly applied in automotive engineering roles.

Can you become an automotive engineer with a physics degree?
Yes. While mechanical engineering is the more common path, a physics degree is also a viable route into automotive engineering, particularly for roles in vehicle dynamics, powertrain research, and computer-aided engineering (CAE).

Deep dive into one of the following Physics-related topics:

Electricity and Magnetism

Physics