Basic jet engine operation sequence: which is correct?

Basic jet engine operation sequence: which is correct?

• A. Air intake, compression, combustion, exhaust
• B. Intake, compression, combustion, exhaust
• C. Intake, compression, ignition, exhaust
• D. Intake, compression, combustion, expansion

Answer: (B)

Jet engines move through a simple flow: air intake, compression, combustion, exhaust. Air is drawn in and compressed to high pressure by the compressor. In the combustion chamber, fuel is injected and burned at nearly constant pressure, adding heat to the flow. The hot gases then expand through the turbine (which powers the compressor) and out the exhaust nozzle to produce thrust. Ignition isn’t a separate step; the burning that follows mixing of fuel and air occurs inside the combustion chamber. Expansion happens as the gases pass through the turbine and nozzle, but the straightforward description uses exhaust as the final stage.

Jet engines move through a simple flow: air intake, compression, combustion, exhaust. Air is drawn in and compressed to high pressure by the compressor. In the combustion chamber, fuel is injected and burned at nearly constant pressure, adding heat to the flow. The hot gases then expand through the turbine (which powers the compressor) and out the exhaust nozzle to produce thrust. Ignition isn’t a separate step; the burning that follows mixing of fuel and air occurs inside the combustion chamber. Expansion happens as the gases pass through the turbine and nozzle, but the straightforward description uses exhaust as the final stage.