What are the four strokes involved in the four-stroke cycle of operation?

The correct choice identifies the four fundamental strokes of the four-stroke cycle: intake, compression, power, and exhaust. This cycle is essential in understanding how internal combustion engines operate.

During the intake stroke, the engine draws in a mixture of fuel and air. This is critical, as it sets up the necessary components for combustion. Following this, the compression stroke occurs, where the piston moves upwards to compress the fuel-air mixture, increasing its potential energy and preparing it for ignition.

Next, the power stroke is where the combustion of the mixture occurs, ignited by the spark plug. This combustion generates a rapid increase in pressure, pushing the piston down and creating mechanical work, which is what powers the engine.

Finally, during the exhaust stroke, the piston moves back up to expel the burned gases from the combustion process, clearing the cylinder for the next intake phase.

This clear sequential process illustrates the cycle of operation in a four-stroke engine, highlighting the importance of each step in ensuring optimal engine performance.