Cams

Cams convert rotary motion into reciprocating motion

A Cam has 2 parts: A follower (goes up and down)

A cam (goes round)

Crank and sliders

A crank and slider also converts
rotary motion into reciprocating motion

On its own, a crank can be used to turn objects it is known as a

crank handle

A Petrol Engine
A petrol engine (as found in cars) use pistons to create rotary motion that make the wheel move. These pistons are the slider part and the crank shaft is the crank part. As the pistons go up and down, they turn the crank shaft. This makes the wheels go round.

A petrol engine piston has 4 stages or strokes

induction
(suck)

compression
(squeeze)

ignition
(bang)

exhaust
(blow)

Cams
A cam is a mechanism used to convert rotary motion into reciprocating motion or vice versa. It is basically

an off-set wheel that has a follower resting upon it.

As the cam wheel turns, it makes the follower move up and down. They are found in car engines where they are use to open and close valves.

Cranks and sliders

These also convert rotary motion into reciprocating motion
or vice versa. The crank goes round and the slider moves back and forth. Steam trains have cranks and sliders on the wheels as do the pistons in a 4 stroke petrol engine. A crank handle can be used to help turn a mechanism. They can be seen on a hand drill or on the metal lathe.