1. Chemical Energy to Thermal Energy: The gasoline, a hydrocarbon, contains stored chemical energy. When it's ignited in the engine's combustion chamber, it burns rapidly, releasing heat (thermal energy) and expanding gases.
2. Thermal Energy to Mechanical Energy: The expanding gases push against the pistons, converting the thermal energy into mechanical energy. This linear motion is then transformed into rotational motion by the crankshaft.
3. Mechanical Energy to Kinetic Energy: The rotational motion of the crankshaft is transferred through the transmission to the wheels, ultimately turning the wheels and propelling the car forward. This represents the car's kinetic energy, the energy of motion.
In summary, the energy transformations in a gasoline-powered car can be summarized as:
Chemical Energy (Gasoline) → Thermal Energy (Combustion) → Mechanical Energy (Engine) → Kinetic Energy (Car's motion)
There are also some energy losses during this process, mainly due to friction and heat dissipation.
