TED-Ed: Under the hood: The chemistry of cars - Cynthia Chubbuck

The video explores the chemistry behind car engines, focusing on the cooling system. It explains why water isn't suitable due to its freezing and boiling points, and introduces solutions with colligative properties that alter these points. The video details how solutions work, emphasizing ethylene glycol's role in engine coolants, and explains the mechanics of freezing and boiling. It concludes with the importance of creating effective engine coolants with high specific heat, low freezing points, and high boiling points.

What is the role of the cooling system in a car engine?

Why is water not used as the primary coolant in car engines?

Explain the concept of colligative properties in relation to car coolant solutions.

How does the presence of solute particles affect the freezing and boiling points of a solution?

What is the optimal mixture of ethylene glycol and water for car coolant, and why?