What do engines do

What are the four phases of the combustion cycle? Wonder What's Next? Try It Out Have you got your engines revved up? Be sure to explore the following activities with a friend or family member: Do you know the parts of a car? Jump online to check out the Anatomy of an Automobile. Learn more about the parts of a car and what they do. Can you identify each part on your family vehicle? If you really want to learn more about engines, ask an adult friend or family member to pop the hood on the family car, so you can get a closer look at the engine.

Can you believe how many parts there are in a modern engine? If possible, compare the engine in your family vehicle to another type of engine, such as that found on a lawnmower. With today's modern technology, engines are changing to support multiple fuel sources.

What will engines be like when you're old enough to drive? Do you think a hybrid or electric vehicle is in your future? Why or why not? Did you get it? Test your knowledge. What are you wondering? Wonder Words combustion fuel explosion generate enclosed piston harness propel stroke intake compression exhaust valve muffler tailpipe key hood motion Take the Wonder Word Challenge. Join the Discussion. Dylan Feb 20, Feb 21, Lizzy Feb 6, This was very interesting.

I enjoyed reading this thanks Wonderopolis. Dec 16, Hi bob. Thanks for letting us know. MIcrowave Nov 14, How does a car create power and why is gas and electricity the only power a car can Use.

Nov 15, Re-read the third paragraph, MIcrowave. Eva the mineral lover Nov 11, Nov 11, Isobel Nov 2, Nov 4, Nov 5, Oct 3, We're sorry to hear you don't like them, greg. Sep 10, Ben May 7, D Apr 25, Gasoline does NOT explode in an engine Jewel Mar 20, Mar 21, We're glad it helped, Jewel! Ethan Nov 26, This really helped me with my explanation text. Dec 6, Richard Oct 24, Bushra Aug 14, Aug 17, Jun 11, Thanks, nader!

Internal combustion engines provide outstanding drivability and durability, with more than million highway transportation vehicles in the United States relying on them. Along with gasoline or diesel, they can also utilize renewable or alternative fuels e. They can also be combined with hybrid electric powertrains to increase fuel economy or plug-in hybrid electric systems to extend the range of hybrid electric vehicles. Combustion, also known as burning, is the basic chemical process of releasing energy from a fuel and air mixture.

Each time the fuel ignites is called the combustion, or power, stroke. The heat and expanding gases from this miniexplosion push the piston down in the cylinder.

Almost all of today's internal-combustion engines to keep it simple, we'll focus on gasoline powerplants here are of the four-stroke variety. Beyond the combustion stroke, which pushes the piston down from the top of the cylinder, there are three other strokes: intake, compression, and exhaust. Engines need air namely oxygen to burn fuel. During the intake stroke, valves open to allow the piston to act like a syringe as it moves downward, drawing in ambient air through the engine's intake system.

When the piston reaches the bottom of its stroke, the intake valves close, effectively sealing the cylinder for the compression stroke, which is in the opposite direction as the intake stroke. The upward movement of the piston compresses the intake charge. In today's most modern engines, gasoline is injected directly into the cylinders near the top of the compression stroke. Other engines premix the air and fuel during the intake stroke.

In either case, just before the piston reaches the top of its travel, known as top dead center, spark plugs ignite the air and fuel mixture. The resulting expansion of hot, burning gases pushes the piston in the opposite direction down during the combustion stroke. This is the stroke that gets the wheels on your car rolling, just like when you push down on the pedals of a bike. Fossil Fuels. Nuclear Fuels. Acid Rain. Climate Change.

Climate Feedback. Ocean Acidification. Rising Sea Level. Engine Figure 1.