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` This lesson contains hypertext links to

www.howstuffworks.com.
` If you are connected to the internet, click
on the link icon and scroll to the
animation at the sight.
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` hy are nearly all vehicles and engines

powered by gasoline?
` extremely high energy density
` cheap (relative to other sources)
` easy and safe to move around
 

` hy not use other fuels?

` Size of engines needed to utilize these
fuels is impractical for automobiles
lawnmowers etc.
` Convenience
` it takes 15 seconds to pump a gallon of gas
vs. several hours to recharge batteries (i.e.
electric cars)
 

` hat are other types of fuels that can be

used?
` ood- steam engines
` Coal- steam engines
` Oil
` Electricity
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` here do we get internal combustion?

` The idea here is to take a fuel (gasoline for
example) and burn it in an engine to create
movement of cars and other gas powered
machines. This is where we get internal
combustion engines.
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`  cannon uses the basic

principles of internal
combustion engines. If
you take a small amount
of high energy fuel (like
gasoline) in a small,
enclosed space and ignite
it, an incredible amount
of energy is released in
the form of expanding
gas.
 


` lmost all engines use a four-stroke

combustion cycle to convert gasoline into
motion.
` This is also known as the Otto cycle in honor
of Nikolaus Otto who invented it in 1867.
` This process takes the basic example of a
cannon several steps further.
 


` The four stroke

combustion cycle
consists of:
` 1. Intake
` 2. Compression
` 3. Combustion
` 4. Exhaust
 


` The piston starts at ` The piston then

the top, the intake moves up to
valve opens and the compress the
piston moves down to air/gasoline mixture.
let the engine take in This makes the
a full cylinder of air explosion more
and gasoline during powerful.
the intake stroke
 


` hen the piston ` The the piston

reaches the top, the reaches the bottom of
spark plug emits a its stroke the exhaust
spark to ignite the valve opens and the
gasoline/air mixture. exhaust leaves out of
` The gasoline/air the tailpipe.
mixture explodes ` The engine is ready
driving the piston for another cycle.
down.
 
   

` Cylinder- where the piston moves up and

down. Most lawnmowers are 1 cylinder
while automobiles are 4,6,8, and 10.
` Spark plug- supplies spark for the fuel/air
mixture.
` Valves- let air in and exhaust out.
Note: both valves are closed during the
compression stroke.
 
   

` iston- cylindrical piece of metal that moves up

and down the cylinder.
` iston rings- rings provide a sliding seal between
the piston and cylinder.
` Rings serve two purposes:
` prevent fuel/air from leaking into the sump
` prevent oil from entering the combustion
chamber
 
   

` Combustion chamber- area where combustion

and compression takes place.
` Connecting rod- connects the piston to the
crankshaft.
` Crankshaft- the crankshaft turns the up and
down motion of the piston into circular motion
` Sump- (oil pan) contains and collects oil for
lubrication