How car engines work

Approximately one billion cars on the road are powered by petrol. And while the basic principles of their internal combustion engines haven’t changed dramatically for almost 150 years, a surprising level of chemistry occurs in our vehicles. Discover the science of the four-stroke engine, how an attempt to solve the issue of ‘knocking’ had a deadly result and how modern cars have catalytic converters fitted in their exhausts to deal with problematic atmospheric pollutants.

Use this article to provide context when teaching hydrocarbons, fossil fuels, complete and incomplete combustion and greenhouse gases, too.