Why is the piston hollow?

A hollow piston is designed primarily to reduce weight. The overall weight of an engine has a significant impact on its performance, including acceleration, handling, and fuel efficiency. By making the piston hollow, manufacturers can minimize the amount of material used without compromising the structural integrity and functionality of the piston. This weight reduction is particularly important in small engines, where every bit of mass contributes to the engine's overall performance.

While factors like friction, heat capacity, and airflow are important considerations in engine design, they do not directly explain the primary reason for a hollow piston. The design focuses specifically on maintaining strength while decreasing unnecessary weight, highlighting the engineering consideration of optimizing performance in compact and lightweight applications.