When the mixture is ignited, a controlled explosion occurs that makes the molecules move even faster. They bombard the piston head still harder. These billions of molecules, moving at great speeds, hit the piston head so hard and so often that they add up to a total push of a ton or more. This push or pressure is due only to the pounding of the fast-moving molecules.

As the piston is pushed down in the cylinder, other engine parts keep it from blowing out of the cylinder. The piston is then pushed back up into the cylinder by the rod connecting the piston to the crankshaft.

The up-and-down motion of the piston in the cylinder must be changed to turning, or rotary, motion for the wheels. The downward movement of the piston pushes a rod that turns a crankshaft. The turning crankshaft provides the motion to turn the wheels. Thus, the reciprocating motion of the piston is changed to rotary motion.

Most automobiles have an even number of cylinders. The controlled explosion in each cylinder occurs at a different time. The explosions provide the work to move the automobile.

Blown Away