Difference between compression ignition engine and a spark ignition engine

The cycle of compression in both the engines are different in the thermodynamic terms. The spark ignition engine is a gasoline or petrol engine which is based on the otto cycle. It uses a spark generated by the electric supply from the battery to ignite the petrol fuel to generate the power. Whilst, the compression ignition engine, also known as a diesel engine is based on a diesel thermodynamic cycle and ignites the fuel in the cylinder using the compression of the fuel from pistons. This is the main reason that the capacity of the diesel engine is more than a petrol engine.

WM
Answered by Wajih M. Physics tutor

6361 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the derivative of distance with respect to time.


In a circuit with a thermistor and bulb, what happens to the brightness of the bulb as the temperature increases?


How does having a rotating plate in a microwave help food to be heated eavenly?


What is the period and frequency of a wave? - GCSE or A-Level students may ask this


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning