How does a jet engine generate thrust?

A jet engine generates thrust primarily by expelling gas at high speed in the opposite direction, a principle governed by Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the case of a jet engine, high-speed exhaust gases are produced from burning fuel, which are then expelled out of the engine nozzle. This rapid expulsion of gas generates forward thrust, propelling the aircraft in the direction opposite to that of the expelled gas.

The physical mechanics behind this involve the acceleration of air and combustion gases through the engine’s components. The engine compresses incoming air, mixes it with fuel, ignites the mixture, and then expands the hot gases through a turbine, resulting in high-speed exhaust that exits the engine. This process is central to various types of jet propulsion, including turbojets, turbofans, and turboprops, all of which rely on the same fundamental principle of high-speed gas expulsion to achieve thrust.

In contrast to this correct answer, the options involving turbines or fuel combustion relate to components and processes that support the main function of generating thrust but do not directly describe how thrust is produced. Creating a vacuum also does not apply here, as thrust generation relies on the action of