Combustion in IC Engines

COMBUSTION IN SI ENGINES
Abnormal combustion is of two types
i. Knock
ii. Surface ignition
What is octane?
 
A gasoline's octane number is a measure of its ability to resist
knocking as it burns in the combustion chamber of an engine. A
spark from the spark plug starts normal combustion. The flame
travels across the combustion chamber rapidly and smoothly
until all the fuel is consumed.

Abnormal combustion occurs when part of the fuel/air mixture

ignites spontaneously and burns very rapidly, causing the
pressure to rise suddenly.

This results in a metallic knocking or pinging sound. A gasoline's

ability to resist knocking is called its anti-knock quality. The
octane number of a gasoline indicates the anti-knock quality of
the fuel. A gasoline's octane number is determined by
comparing its resistance to knocking to the performance of
reference fuels in a test engine.
 Additives
Gasoline additives increase gasoline's octane rating or act as corrosion
inhibitors or lubricants, thus allowing the use of higher compression
ratios for greater efficiency and power. Types of additives include metal
deactivators, corrosion inhibitors, oxygenates and antioxidants.

An antiknock agent is a gasoline additive used to reduce 

engine knocking and increase the fuel's octane rating by raising the
temperature and pressure at which auto-ignition occurs.