The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion, or rapid oxidation, of gas and air occurs in a confined space called a combustion chamber. This exothermic reaction of a fuel with an oxidizer creates gases of high temperature and pressure, which are permitted to expand. The defining feature of an internal combustion engine is that useful work is performed by the expanding hot gases acting directly to cause pressure, further causing movement of the piston inside the cylinder. For example by acting on pistons, rotors, or even by pressing on and moving the entire engine itself.
This contrasts with external combustion engines, such as steam engines and Stirling engines, which use an external combustion chamber to heat a separate working fluid, which then in turn does work, for example by moving a piston.
2007-05-10 03:48:45
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answer #1
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answered by Seth 2
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Its called an internal combustion engine because the combustion of the fuel takes place inside the engine and the energy from the expansion of the gasses cause the power conversion via the crank.
A good example of an external combustion engine is a steam train engine, heat from the combustion of coal is used to convert cold water into steam. The steam is then used to power the pistons that turn the crank.
2007-05-10 04:20:52
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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It is called an internal combustion engine for a few reasons. The first part that the internal is derived from is the fact that the explosion is retained inside of the cylinder of the motor. The combustion part is derived from the fact that it uses a combustible fuel which is pressurized and the "combusted" inside the cylinder to produce power.
2007-05-10 03:49:15
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answer #3
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answered by Jacob L 2
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The power that makes the car move is a result of the combustion (or burning) of the air and fuel mixture inside of the cylinder of the engine. From that we get an internal combustion engine.
2007-05-10 03:49:04
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answer #4
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answered by Nc Jay 5
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If you build a fire outside the engine, boil water, and pipe the steam in the move the piston, that would be an external combustion engine. If the explosion actually takes place inside the engine, that would be internal combustion engine, which is what most vehicles are these days.
2007-05-10 03:52:24
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answer #5
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answered by oklatom 7
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Because the petrol combustion takes place inside the engine -
2007-05-10 03:47:34
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answer #6
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answered by jamand 7
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because the combustion takes place internally instead of externally like a steam engine.
2007-05-10 03:53:26
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answer #7
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answered by johnny big block 2
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because the mixture of fuel and air is drawn inside the workings of the engine and combusted (forced to explode under high pressure) inside the engine.
2007-05-10 03:48:15
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answer #8
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answered by Barefoot_Ben 2
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because the combustion happens inside the cylinder block. When the fuel is ignited, it happens inside the engine and that is where the power is generated. good luck.
2007-05-10 03:48:10
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answer #9
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answered by Fordman 7
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Because that is what it is , The combustion is inside and makes the power to drive or to create energy for anything you need , Lawnmower pressure washer .
2007-05-10 03:48:42
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answer #10
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answered by JT B ford man 6
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