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	Topics Astronomy Atomic clocks Bridges Calculators Earth's magnetic field Electricity Engineering Engines Fluids Gravity Lightning Measurement and real-life Miscellany Nobel Prize winners Optics Particle physics Physics meets biology Physics meets Earth science Scientist biographies Semiconductors and computers Sound Spacecraft Theme park physics Thermodynamics Tides Units of measurement		Topic: Engines How car engines work The internal combustion engine used in most automobiles is based on the Otto cycle. Octane ratings Gasoline octane ratings indicate how quickly the fuel mixture will burn. Small Stirling engines The American Stirling Company has small engines that run on the power of your hand's warmth. There is a lot of information on their website. Stirling engine basics This page explains the two basic Stirling engine types: with two pistons, or with a displacer. You can see still or animated diagrams of how the engines operate.