Sean
Combustion is the scientific word for burning. It is the rapid chemical reaction of a substance (known as fuel) with oxygen which products energy (heat and light) and waste by-products.
In a car, combustion occurs within the cylinders of the engine. In the cylinder, gas is mixed with air and then ignited with a spark. The spark converts the fuel and air into thermal energy and gaseous by-products like carbon dioxide. The intense heat of the combustion gases causes the gas to expand quickly, pushing the piston down, thus rotating the crank shaft and producing rotational energy.
