What makes internal combustion engines accelerate?

453 viewsEngineeringOther

So if an internal combustion engine is idling, when we add more gas/air by opening the throttle why does the engine accelerate? Do the explosions in the cylinders increase in velocity? I would have assumed that the explosions occur at the same speed regardless of the amount of fuel/air in the cylinder. So I don’t understand why the engine rpm increases.

thanks

In: Engineering

10 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

When you step on the gas, you increase the frequency of the explosions in the cylinder. Its similar to biking, by pedaling harder. You’re increasing the number of pedal cycles per unit time. That is what leads to the bike or car moving faster. It’s measured as RPM. Power from the engine is amplified by the transmission then to the wheels. The transmission is a slider that gives more torque at lower gear. And more travel at higher gear. Bike gearing analogy still holds.

You are viewing 1 out of 10 answers, click here to view all answers.