How does a car spark plug work?
2 Answers
The working principle of a car spark plug is that the electrode of the spark plug repeatedly and continuously generates ignition sparks to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder. At this time, other parts of the ignition system produce a timed high-voltage electrical pulse, forming a spark and generating an explosion to provide the energy required for the engine's power output. The function of the spark plug is to introduce the high voltage generated by the ignition coil into the engine cylinder, creating a spark between the electrodes of the spark plug to ignite the air-fuel mixture. The working environment of the spark plug is extremely harsh. Taking the spark plug of an ordinary four-stroke gasoline engine as an example, during the intake stroke, the temperature is only 60 degrees Celsius, and the pressure is 90KPa, while during ignition and combustion, the temperature can instantly rise to 3000 degrees Celsius, and the pressure reaches 4000KPa.
I remember having difficulty starting the car for the first time, and later learned that the working principle of spark plugs is key. When you turn the key to start the car, the ignition system sends high voltage from the battery and coil to each cylinder's spark plug, creating an electric spark between its two metal electrodes. This spark instantly ignites the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder, causing a small explosion that pushes the piston to drive the wheels. The spark plug must be designed with the proper gap to ensure stable and reliable sparks. When they age, they may fail to ignite or cause reduced power. From my experience, when spark plugs age, the car starts slowly, has higher fuel consumption, and lacks power when climbing hills. Regular inspection and replacement are crucial to maintain ignition efficiency, making the engine smoother and more fuel-efficient while reducing unexpected failures. I remember replacing the spark plugs before a long trip once, and the driving experience became noticeably smoother and safer.
