Identify the main components of a gas turbine engine.

The main components of a gas turbine engine are the compressor, combustor, and turbine.

The compressor plays a critical role in the gas turbine engine by drawing in ambient air and compressing it to a high pressure. This increased pressure allows for a greater amount of air to be mixed with fuel, which is essential for efficient combustion. The combustor is the component where this compressed air is combined with fuel, ignited, and burned, creating high-temperature, high-pressure gases. Finally, the turbine extracts energy from these hot gases to perform work, such as driving the compressor and producing thrust.

Each of these three components works synergistically to convert fuel into mechanical energy, which is the fundamental principle behind gas turbine operation. Understanding the function of these components is crucial for grasping how gas turbines generate power, whether for aircraft propulsion or for electricity generation.