These 25 MCQs cover a range of topics within Internal Combustion Engines, including engine components, operations, and emissions control. They are designed to test knowledge in both theoretical and practical contexts in the field of Mechanical Engineering.
1. What is the primary purpose of an internal combustion engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
An internal combustion engine converts the thermal energy produced by the burning of fuel into mechanical energy, which is used to power vehicles or machinery.
2. What distinguishes a diesel engine from a gasoline engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
Diesel engines use diesel fuel and rely on compression ignition, where the air is compressed to a high temperature, igniting the fuel. Gasoline engines use gasoline and spark plugs for ignition.
3. What is the four-stroke cycle in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
The four-stroke cycle consists of four distinct strokes: intake (air and fuel enter the engine), compression (compression of the mixture), power (ignition and combustion), and exhaust (expulsion of combustion gases).
4. In an I.C. engine, what is the role of the piston?
Answer:
Explanation:
The piston in an I.C. engine moves up and down in the cylinder due to combustion. This linear motion is converted into rotational motion by the connecting rod and crankshaft, driving the vehicle's wheels.
5. What is knocking in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
Knocking, or detonation, occurs when the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder ignites prematurely, causing a high-pressure wave that creates a pinging or knocking sound and can damage the engine.
6. What is the function of a carburetor in a gasoline engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
The carburetor in a gasoline engine mixes air and fuel in the correct ratio for efficient combustion. It ensures the right amount of fuel is combined with air before it enters the combustion chamber.
7. What is the purpose of a turbocharger in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
A turbocharger increases engine power by using exhaust gases to drive a turbine, which compresses air and forces it into the combustion chamber, allowing more fuel to be burned.
8. What is the primary advantage of fuel injection over carburetion in I.C. engines?
Answer:
Explanation:
Fuel injection systems offer more precise control over the quantity and timing of fuel delivery to the engine, leading to better fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and improved engine performance.
9. What is a common symptom of a faulty spark plug in a gasoline engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
Faulty spark plugs can lead to misfires, resulting in excessive fuel consumption and reduced engine power. They are crucial for the proper ignition of the air-fuel mixture in gasoline engines.
10. What is the primary purpose of a camshaft in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
The camshaft in an I.C. engine is designed to control the timing of the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves, ensuring that they operate in sync with the piston movement.
11. What is the main advantage of using a multi-cylinder engine over a single-cylinder engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
Multi-cylinder engines provide higher power output and smoother operation compared to single-cylinder engines due to more balanced power strokes and reduced vibration.
12. In a diesel engine, what is the role of the glow plug?
Answer:
Explanation:
Glow plugs in diesel engines help in cold starts by heating the air in the combustion chamber, facilitating the compression and ignition of the diesel fuel in low-temperature conditions.
13. What is the function of the flywheel in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
The flywheel in an I.C. engine stores rotational energy and releases it, helping to smooth out the power delivery over each engine cycle and maintain a consistent engine speed.
14. What is the purpose of valve timing in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
Valve timing in an I.C. engine is crucial for optimal engine performance. It involves setting the precise timing for the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves relative to the position of the pistons.
15. What is the primary cause of engine overheating?
Answer:
Explanation:
The most common cause of engine overheating is a malfunctioning cooling system, which fails to remove sufficient heat from the engine, leading to excessive temperatures that can damage engine components.
16. What is the role of the crankshaft in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
The crankshaft in an I.C. engine converts the up-and-down (reciprocating) motion of the pistons into rotational motion, which is then transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle.
17. What does the term 'stoichiometric mixture' refer to in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
The stoichiometric mixture in an I.C. engine is the ideal ratio of air to fuel that allows for complete combustion of the fuel with no excess air or fuel remaining.
18. What is a common symptom of an inefficient combustion process in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
Inefficient combustion in an I.C. engine often leads to high fuel consumption, as the engine requires more fuel to produce the same amount of power. It can also cause increased emissions and reduced performance.
19. What is the main advantage of variable valve timing (VVT) in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
Variable valve timing allows for optimized engine performance at different speeds and load conditions, improving overall efficiency, power output, and reducing exhaust emissions.
20. What is the main purpose of an oil filter in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
The oil filter in an I.C. engine is designed to remove contaminants such as dirt, metal particles, and carbon deposits from the engine oil, ensuring that the oil remains clean to lubricate and protect the engine effectively.
21. What is the function of a muffler in an I.C. engine's exhaust system?
Answer:
Explanation:
The muffler in an I.C. engine's exhaust system is designed to reduce the noise produced by the exhaust gases as they exit the engine. It does this by dissipating the sound energy and reducing the sound pressure.
22. What is the primary purpose of a timing belt in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
The timing belt in an I.C. engine ensures the synchronized operation of the engine's camshaft and crankshaft. This synchronization is crucial for the proper timing of the valves' opening and closing in relation to the pistons' movement.
23. What causes 'pre-ignition' in a gasoline engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
Pre-ignition in a gasoline engine occurs when the fuel-air mixture ignites prematurely, before the spark plug fires. This premature ignition is usually caused by hot spots in the combustion chamber, such as overheated valves or carbon deposits.
24. In an I.C. engine, what is the function of the alternator?
Answer:
Explanation:
The alternator in an I.C. engine is responsible for charging the battery while the engine is running. It converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, providing power to the vehicle's electrical systems and recharging the battery.
25. What is the purpose of a catalytic converter in an I.C. engine?
Answer:
Explanation:
A catalytic converter in an I.C. engine reduces harmful exhaust emissions by converting pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons into less harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor.