1. Engine: The engine burns fuel, creating energy that rotates a crankshaft.
2. Transmission: The transmission takes the rotating energy from the crankshaft and converts it into rotational force at the wheels, changing the speed and torque as needed. It's like a gearbox that allows you to shift gears for different speeds and power.
3. Drive Shaft (in many cars): The transmission sends the rotational force to the drive shaft, a long rotating rod that transfers the power to the wheels.
4. Axles and Wheels: The drive shaft connects to axles, which rotate the wheels. When the wheels rotate, they push against the ground. According to Newton's Third Law of Motion (for every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction), the ground pushes back on the wheels, propelling the car forward.
In short, the engine creates power, the transmission and drivetrain transfer that power to the wheels, and the wheels' interaction with the ground moves the car.
