Internal Combustion Engine

In an internal combustion engine combustion takes place inside a cylinder. You need to mix fuel and air together. This mixing happens in the carburetor. The mixture of fuel and air goes through a valve into the cylinder. In the cylinder fuel and air get compressed by the piston. A spark plug makes a spark and ignites the air and fuel mixture. The explosion pushes the piston down. The piston pushes the connecting rod which turns the crankshaft. The crankshaft turns the flywheel. The spinning fly wheel is used to do some kind of work.

The explosion in an internal combustion engine creates a lot of heat. It may be up to 1,200 degrees F. This heat can damage the engine. Internal combustion engines have a radiator. Water in the engine takes heat away from the engine and to the radiator. The radiator cools the water.

Here are some pictures of the steps of how this type of engine works.

Diesel Engines

Diesel engines don't use spark plugs to ignite the air and fuel mixture. The air in a diesel engine is compressed more than in a gasoline engine. The injector squirts fuel in the cylinder. When the fuel hits the hot air it ignites the fuel. The diesel engine doesn't need a carburetor or spark plug.

Here is a picture of how diesel engines work.

Steam Engines

Steam engines need fuel to make fire. The fire boils water which turns into steam. The steam goes through a valve and then pushes on a piston. The piston goes back and forth and turns the wheels. A connecting rod hooks the piston to a wheel.