Final answer:
The two parts of a distributor in an aircraft engine ignition system mentioned in the question are the Block (Option 2) and the Rotor (Option 4). The block houses the rotor which directs high-voltage current to spark plugs during engine operation. The system generates the necessary voltage for ignition through the use of an ignition coil that steps up the power from the battery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Parts of an Aircraft Engine Ignition System
The ignition system of an aircraft is essential for starting the engine and is quite different from the ignition systems found in most automotive vehicles. In an aircraft engine ignition system, the distributor plays a critical role in directing high-voltage electrical current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs in a precisely timed sequence. Out of the options provided, numbers 2 and 4, Block and Rotor, are two parts commonly associated with the distributor of an aircraft engine ignition system.
The block, often referred to as the distributor block, is the component that houses the rotor and can contain multiple terminals that correspond to each spark plug. As the engine operates, the rotor rotates inside the block, and the electrical contacts on the rotor pass near the terminals at specific intervals, allowing electricity to flow to the corresponding spark plugs for ignition.
Addressing the additional information provided, the ignition system in automobiles relies on a battery, typically 12-V, as the power source. To generate large voltages from this source, an induction coil, known as an ignition coil, steps up the voltage to the required levels to create a spark at the spark plugs. When the current flowing through this coil is suddenly interrupted, usually by an ignition switch or electronic control unit (ECU), a high-voltage spike is produced due to the collapse of the magnetic field in the coil. This spike is what fires the spark plugs.
Moreover, the phenomenon described, where an arc appears across the open terminals of a switch when the current in a large inductor is interrupted, is due to the rapid collapse of the magnetic field around the inductor. This collapse induces a high voltage in the inductor, opposing the change in current as per Lenz's Law, often resulting in an arc if the gap is small enough and the energy is sufficiently high.
Mention the Correct Option in Final Answer
The two parts of a distributor in an aircraft engine ignition system mentioned in the question are the Block (Option 2) and the Rotor (Option 4).