Whenever we think of automobiles, we typically imagine a vehicle with wheels. A car is a motor vehicle that runs on roads and seats one to eight people. However, cars also vary in design, engine size, and other features.
Daimler-Benz
During World War II, Daimler was almost shut down because of the war. Daimler worked on military vehicles and engines. They also worked on engines for tanks, aircraft, and submarines. They also produced parts for German armies and arms.
Daimler was also the first automaker to produce a series of supercharged cars. They built the first supercharged car in 1921. This was the Mercedes 35hp, which won the Nice race.
After World War II, Daimler paid reparations to the families of workers who had been victims of the Nazi regime. The company also employed detainees from concentration camps.
Development of external combustion engines
Using thermal energy to turn water into steam is a well-known example of an external combustion engine. However, external combustion engines can also take advantage of other sources of heat to generate motion.
An example of an external combustion engine is the Stirling engine. A Stirling engine is an external combustion engine which incorporates the concepts of an internal combustion engine. It uses a piston to actuate a steam turbine.
Another example is the Carnot heat engine. A Carnot heat engine works by converting thermal energy into heat. The working fluid is then pressed to the steam-actuated piston. It also makes use of an electric spark to create an ignition system.
Speed limits
During the Great Depression, Connecticut became the first state to institute a speed limit for automobiles. Only one million vehicles were registered in the United States in 1913, compared to over a million today.
A recent study compiled data on speeding on five different states to determine what was the best speed limit. The results showed that, on average, cars travel a bit faster than trucks. A lower speed limit for trucks may also be a good idea.
Air pollution
Among the many pollutants released by vehicles, the most harmful are nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulates (PM). These gases affect the quality of air we breathe, contribute to climate change, and are linked to various forms of cancer.
In addition to air pollution, automobiles contribute to noise and other environmental problems. Moreover, the increasing population means an increased demand for vehicles. In many big metropolitan cities, vehicle pollution has a devastating impact on human health.