IC ENGINE

An internal combustion engine makes use of the explosive energy released in the burning of fuel to generate motive power. In the engine shown here, four cylinders perform the same function in sequence to maintain a steady flow of power. As the piston moves down, a fuel-air mixture is drawn into the cylinder. The mixture is compressed as the piston rises and is ignited by the spark plug. As the mixture explodes, expanding gases push the piston down , turning the crankshaft; as it rises again with the next revolution of the crankshaft, exhaust gases are expelled from the cylinder.