AFJROTC Commercial and General Aviation Take Off Practice Exam

What powers the turbine engines in aircraft?

1. Liquid fuel

2. Hot flowing gases

3. Electricity

4. Air pressure

The correct answer is: Hot flowing gases

The correct choice highlights that turbine engines in aircraft are primarily powered by hot flowing gases. This process works through the principles of thermodynamics, specifically how fuel is burned in the combustion chamber. When aviation fuel is injected and ignited in this chamber, it produces high-temperature and high-pressure gases. These gases rapidly expand and are expelled through the engine's exhaust, creating thrust as they exit. This is essential for propelling the aircraft forward. Understanding this concept is crucial as it differentiates turbine engines from other engine types, such as piston engines, which rely on different operational mechanisms. The high-speed flow of gases not only powers the turbine but also drives the compressor stages that are integral to increasing the pressure of incoming air, necessary for efficient combustion.