How higher research octane number eliminates knocking?

Answer 1

knocking is caused by fuel in the combustion chamber igniting before the piston reaches TDC (top dead center). normally because the compression ratio is to much for the fuel. as the piston comes up it creates compression (pressure) that pressure heats the fuel, and if the pressure or heat is to much the fuel/air mix will self combust before the spark plug ignites it (these same principles are what makes a diesel motor run). a higher octane fuel can simply hold up to this pressure because it burns hotter