piston

A piston is a cylindrical component that moves up and down inside the cylinder of an internal combustion engine. It plays a crucial role in converting the energy generated from the combustion of fuel into mechanical motion. As the fuel-air mixture ignites, the expanding gases push the piston downward (power stroke), which in turn rotates the crankshaft. Pistons are typically made of lightweight, high-strength materials like aluminum alloy to withstand high pressure and temperature.