What energy type does a modern airplane engine convert from chemical to?

A modern airplane engine primarily converts chemical energy from the fuel into mechanical energy. This conversion is essential for the engine's operation. In a jet engine, for example, the combustion of fuel generates thermal energy as the fuel reacts with oxygen. This thermal energy is then used to produce high-speed jets of exhaust gases, creating thrust through Newton's third law of motion.

As the combusted gases expand and are expelled, they do mechanical work on the components of the engine, such as the turbines and compressors. This mechanical energy is ultimately what drives the airplane's propulsion system, allowing it to move forward efficiently.

While thermal energy is present during the combustion process, and kinetic energy is a result of the motion generated by propulsion, the transformation that allows the airplane to achieve flight and maintain its speed fundamentally relies on the conversion to mechanical energy. Thus, understanding this process highlights the role of mechanical energy in aerospace engineering and the functioning of modern aircraft.