Why does my bike work better at night?
Question
I've noticed this when cycling... why does my bike run much more smoothly in the early evening than at any other time? People in my cycling club have noticed the same phenomenon and it also applies to cars.David, Tulse Hill
Answer
** Definitive **Name: Tiny, Windsor
Qualification: Physics A-Level and Motor Engineer
Answer: It's not his bike, it's him. The air is more dense and therefore has more oxygen in it, so his lungs takes in more oxygen and it feeds his muscles better. Similarly, with cars, there is more oxygen that gets into the engine and therefore it produces more power. In fact, cars are so complex now that they know they have more oxygen in the evening, so they feed slightly more petrol and give more power.
Answer
Name: Alan, Croydon
Answer: Tiny got it wrong about cars - he shouldn't have gone definitive. The answer is that because there is moisture in the air, there is hydrogen in the moisture and the hydrogen increases the bang in the cylinder. Extra oxygen doesn't make any difference. Oxygen doesn't burn.
(James O'Brien: I'm sure oxygen burns. I could be setting myself up for my biggest fall yet, but there is no earthly way you can come on to my show and tell me that oxygen doesn't burn.)
Name: Clayton, Canary Wharf
Answer: I'm just calling to wind you up even more. I'm afraid Alan is right. Oxygen doesn't burn. It is however required to make other items burn. A match won't burn without any oxygen around. Hydrogen is the fuel, oxygen is the catalyst.
(James O'Brien: Stop saying Alan was right. He just wasn't as wrong as I thought!)