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CHEMICAL REACTION: COMBUSTION; The gas engine

The first gas engine was invented in 1876 by a man named Nicolaus Otto of Germany. The Otto Cycle, or Four Stroke engine has five major components.P-the piston, C- the crank shaft, V- the exhaust and fuel valves, S- the spark plug, and W- the water coolants. We only care about the first four right now. When an engine is running, fuel is taken into the piston chaber through the fuel valve as the piston moves down the piston shaft. As the piston moves up, the gas is compressed and the valve closes. As the compressed gas is, well, compressed at the top of the chamber, the spark plug ignites. When it ignites, the gas explodes, sending the piston back down the shaft, and opening the exhaust valve. The when the piston comes up again, the exhaust is pushed out the exhaust valve, and eventually out the car. Now, most cars have either 4,6, or 8 pistons, or cylinders. And all of the pistons are connected to a crank shaft. When the pistons move up and down, the crank shaft spins, and after moving through a couple of gears, it is connected to the drive train, that moves the wheels. Ok now that we are introduced with the history of the gasoline engine and how it works; let's talk about the chemistry that continues on in the engine. The reaction is composed of the gas or fuel for that matter, C8H18 or without confusion a molecule that is combined with 8 carbon atoms and 18 hydrogen atoms. As the gas is compressed the gas experiences the type of chemical reaction that is formally known as Combustion. Combustion is a type of reaction where usually Carbon and Hydrogen take place in the formula combining with oxygen to produce H2O and CO2. Same thing occurs in this engine, the gas which is C8H18 reacts with oxygen with the production of water and CO2. Combustion only occurs when heat is applied. CO2 and Water are produced because; when the hydrocarbon which is the gas C8H18 is burned it combines in the heat with oxygen. The heat is produced by the engine's compression. Gas engines have helped and hurt mankind and the world a lot. It made going places thousands of times easier, and more luxurious. But, it has also has spread a dangerous plague over the Earth. Carbon Dioxide is eating away the atosphere that protects Earth and it's inhabitants from the harmful rays of the sun. Some scientists believe that because of the raised levels of Carbon Dioxide, since the Industrial Revolution, the atmosphere has reacted and is slowly discinirateing. Now there is some stipulation about weather or not Carbon dioxide is destroying the atmosphere, but CO2 has killed people through cars. In the Blizzard of 1978, during winds of up to 75 mph, and 33 streight hours of heavy snow, people leaving there homes, would get in their cars. They would start the car, and sit in it, for warmth. But, the exhaust pipe would be blocked or clogged with snow. So it traveled back into the car, where the unsuspecting people breathed it in, and died shortly later. The benefits of the invention of the gas engine defidantly outlaw the risks of running them.