The tutor implicates the Clausius-Clapeyron equation to explain why combustion is more difficult at lower temperatures. To burn, a fuel must evaporate.1 In colder temperatures, fuel has less tendency to evaporate. For two specific temperatures (T1 and T2), the Clausius-Clapeyron …

Physical chemistry: vapor pressure: why a car may be harder to start in the winter Read more »

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The tutor looks more specifically into the effect of compression on gas temperature. In my January 20 post I began about thermodynamics and the effect of compressing a gas. Today, I’ll give more specific coverage. The temperature rise a gas …

Chemistry, thermodynamics: temperature increase caused by compression, continued Read more »

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The tutor examines the idea that internal combustion engines are more efficient in cold weather. An upper limit for efficiency of an internal combustion engine is eff = (Tcombust – Tsurrounding)/Tcombust where Tcombust is the temp of the combustion cylinder …

Physical chemistry: efficiency of internal combustion engine in hot vs cold weather Read more »

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