Generally, an engine or motor is a machine that converts one form of energy into mechanical energy. An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical motion. However, in an automobile engine, which is our purpose here. It is known as a “heat engine” and “internal combustion engine”. It burns fuel to create heat in order to form mechanical energy. Both diesel and petrol engines are designed to be internal combustion engines, they are widely used in modern cars.
Read more: Components of internal combustion engine
Contents
What is a car engine?
Karl Benz was the first successful person to create the first automobile. It was made of lightweight petrol internal combustion engine with a four-stroke Otto cycle. The four-stroke Otto cycle is widely used for light automobiles. Due to the high efficiency of diesel engine, it is used for buses and trucks. In this modern life, turbo diesel engines become increasingly popular even on small commercial cars.
Diagram of a car engine:
Having an understanding of what a car engine is, I guess one needs to be exposed to the internal and external combustion engines which are the types of engine out there. Internal combustion engines are engines (or motors) that burnt fuel inside the engine. Whilst, the external combustion engine i.e. steam engine burnt fuel outside the working cylinder of the engine.
Read more: How a car engine works
The characteristic of an automobile engine when compared with other engines like the stationary engine or marine engine. It is a high power-to-weight ratio, which is achieved by using high rotational speed. Though, automobile engines are sometimes modified for marine automobile engines.
Watch the video below to learn how a car engine works:
Read more: Difference between SI (Spark ignition) and CI (Compression Ignition) engines
As of 2013 till date, there are a wide variety of repulsion systems available for automobiles and other vehicles, which include internal combustion engines using either petrol, diesel, propane, or natural gas; hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids, fuel cell vehicles using hydrogen fuel, and electric cars. The advantage of fueled vehicles over other types is that fueled vehicles are economical while electric types have a limited range and high cost of batteries. Though some vehicles can be fueled and charged.
That is all for this article, where car engine is being explained. I hope you enjoy reading, if so, kindly share with other students. Thanks for reading, see you next time!
