Here's why:
* Heat Engine Definition: A heat engine is a device that converts thermal energy (heat) into mechanical energy.
* Car Engine Operation: A car engine uses the combustion of fuel to create heat. This heat expands gases inside the cylinders, pushing pistons and ultimately turning the crankshaft, which provides the mechanical energy to power the wheels.
Key Characteristics of a Heat Engine:
* Heat Source: They require a source of heat to operate (in a car, it's the combustion of fuel).
* Working Fluid: They use a working fluid (like air and fuel mixture in a car engine) that expands and contracts due to temperature changes.
* Energy Conversion: They convert some of the heat energy into useful mechanical work, but some is always lost as waste heat.
So, while the engine in your car has its own specific design and workings, it fundamentally operates as a heat engine because it converts heat into mechanical energy.
