What distinguishes scavenging air from supercharging air?

Scavenging air refers to the process of removing exhaust gases from the combustion chamber and replacing them with fresh air or fuel-air mixture, facilitating the next cycle of combustion in an engine. This process often relies on the natural atmospheric pressure and the engine's pistons' movement to draw in air, which is why it is regarded as natural intake.

On the other hand, supercharging air involves the use of a mechanical compressor to force more air into the combustion chamber than would be possible through natural atmospheric pressure alone. This forced intake increases the amount of oxygen available for combustion, allowing for more fuel to be burned and thereby increasing the engine's power output.

Distinguishing between these two processes is essential in understanding how different engine technologies improve performance. In summary, scavenging is about managing the airflow naturally occurring due to engine dynamics, whereas supercharging actively compresses and forces more air into the system, leading to significant performance enhancements.