A radiator works by circulating coolant through its core, where heat is transferred from the coolant to the surrounding air.
The process involves the following key steps:
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Coolant Entry: Hot coolant from the engine enters the radiator through the inlet.
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Distribution: The coolant flows down through the end tank and is evenly distributed into numerous tubes within the radiator core.
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Heat Dissipation: As the coolant travels the length of these tubes, heat is transferred from the coolant to the metal of the tubes.
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Airflow: Air, often forced by a fan, passes over the fins attached to the tubes, carrying away the heat and cooling the coolant.
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Coolant Exit: The now-cooled coolant exits the radiator and returns to the engine to absorb more heat, continuing the cycle.
In essence, a radiator acts as a heat exchanger, transferring thermal energy from the engine coolant to the atmosphere.
