How do jet engines work?

Jet engines are highly technological pieces of equipment. Although they operate much like a motor used in vehicles, they have some significant differences. Jets burn fuel in the air and release a scalding hot gas in its wake.

When you see planes in the sky, you will notice that there is a trail following along behind them. Kids love to watch these jets and look at the directions in which they came from, and where they are going. That white trail that is left behind is the exhaust or gas from the fuel that is burned at a rapid rate.

Within the engine of the jet, there are cylinders which move back and forth. The fuel is worked through these cylinders by air, which then brings it to a higher temperature, giving the jet more power and thrust. There is a four-part process, which is repetitious and keeps the engine for the jet working in peak conditions.

The four-part process is intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust. There are a few different types of engines used in jets, and some are a bit more sophisticated, but they operate on the same basic principles.