1. Intake Stroke: The first step is the intake stroke. During this stroke, the piston moves down the cylinder, creating a low-pressure area inside. This causes a mixture of air and gasoline, called the air-fuel mixture, to be sucked into the cylinder through an open intake valve.
2. Compression Stroke: Once the intake valve closes, the piston moves back up the cylinder, compressing the air-fuel mixture. This increases the pressure and temperature of the mixture, making it more combustible.
3. Power Stroke: Near the top of the compression stroke, a spark plug ignites the compressed air-fuel mixture. The combustion of this mixture creates a rapid expansion of hot gases, which generates a very high pressure inside the cylinder. This high pressure forces the piston down the cylinder with great force, creating mechanical energy.
4. Exhaust Stroke: After the power stroke, the exhaust valve opens, and the piston moves up the cylinder again, pushing the exhaust gases out of the engine through the exhaust valve. These gases are then expelled from the engine through the exhaust system.
The four strokes of the engine (intake, compression, power, and exhaust) are repeated continuously, and this cycle is what generates the power needed to propel the car forward. The energy released from the combustion of gasoline drives the pistons, which in turn rotate the crankshaft, converting reciprocating motion into rotational motion. This rotational motion is then transmitted to the wheels of the car, causing them to turn and move the vehicle.
The actual process is much more complex, involving various mechanical components and systems working together to ensure efficient engine operation. However, this simplified explanation provides a general overview of how a car engine uses gasoline to produce power.
