The automobile is a vehicle used to transport people and things. Its development has had a profound impact on the economy and social structure of modern society. There are many different types of automobiles, ranging from personal cars to buses and trucks. The automotive industry is one of the world’s largest and most important industries. In the early twentieth century, it revolutionized the economy of many countries, spawning new businesses and creating jobs. It also influenced the design of cities and other public works projects. Moreover, it introduced the concept of mass production to manufacturing. As a result, it became possible to produce automobiles at very low cost.
The history of the automobile began with steam and electrical powered vehicles. These were developed as early as the late 1700s and 1800s. But it wasn’t until the 1885 invention of the gas powered automobile by Karl Benz that the automobile really took off. At that time the automobile was still very primitive and didn’t have any of the features we are accustomed to today like seat belts, a windshield, and rearview mirrors.
Currently there are about 590 million automobiles in operation around the world and 140 million of them are in the United States. The majority of passenger cars are powered by internal combustion engines and are fueled with gasoline or diesel fuel. They have four wheels, can seat between one and seven people, and are designed primarily for the transportation of people rather than goods. Compared with other vehicles, the modern automobile is a complex technical system with thousands of components. The major systems are the engine, fuel, transmission, electrical system, cooling and lubrication, and chassis. Each of these is a separate system that has its own function but interacts with the others to keep the car running smoothly.
As with the human body, the auto has a circulatory system to cool and lubricate the moving parts. It has an electrical system that delivers electricity from the battery to the ignition and starting systems. The cooling and lubrication systems use pumps and reservoirs to deliver a special liquid, such as oil or water, to the engine. A drive train system includes the transmission, clutch, and differential that transmits power from the engine to the wheels. The speed of the wheel is determined by the gears, which adjust torque and speed.
In addition, an automobile has a suspension system to make it ride comfortably over uneven or rough roads. Spring systems are used to hold the vehicle above the wheel, and shock absorbers dampen or quiet the movement of the springs with tubes and chambers filled with a hydraulic fluid. The braking system is another important feature that stops the automobile from moving when a person depresses the brake pedal. There are a number of other systems that provide safety and convenience to the driver, such as turn signals, mirrors, and lights. Finally, the body of the automobile provides a sleek and attractive appearance to the vehicle.