Health is wealthHow does a Car Engine Work?
A car engine is also known as an internal combustion engine, and is designed to use small, controlled explosions to create the power necessary to move the vehicle. This type of engine is used in lawnmowers, motorcycles and other motorized devices. All car engines are designed to use a four stroke combustion cycle. The four strokes are the intake, compression, combustion and exhaust. These strokes are repeated in quick succession to generate power. All parts of the combustion cycle take place within an enclosed car engine.
A small, controlled explosion forces the piston, or "arms," of the engine to move. When the energy from the explosion is almost worn out, another explosion occurs, forcing the pistons to move again. This recurring cycle generates the power needed.
The piston is a metal rod that is connected by a crankshaft to the connecting rod. During the intake cycle, the intake valve opens and the piston moves down, to start the cycle. This motion brings a cylinder full of air and a small amount of gas into the engine.
In the compression cycle, the piston moves up and reduces the space of the air and fuel. The smaller the space, the more powerful the explosion will be. The seal on this space must be airtight, so that no energy is lost.
The speed of the cycle determines the speed of the vehicle. When the driver increases the amount of gas going to the engine, the engine pistons increase their movement. This faster pace results in an increase in the speed of the combustion cycle.
A small, controlled explosion forces the piston, or "arms," of the engine to move. When the energy from the explosion is almost worn out, another explosion occurs, forcing the pistons to move again. This recurring cycle generates the power needed.
The piston is a metal rod that is connected by a crankshaft to the connecting rod. During the intake cycle, the intake valve opens and the piston moves down, to start the cycle. This motion brings a cylinder full of air and a small amount of gas into the engine.
In the compression cycle, the piston moves up and reduces the space of the air and fuel. The smaller the space, the more powerful the explosion will be. The seal on this space must be airtight, so that no energy is lost.
The speed of the cycle determines the speed of the vehicle. When the driver increases the amount of gas going to the engine, the engine pistons increase their movement. This faster pace results in an increase in the speed of the combustion cycle.
