How does a Gas fired turbine work?

Answer 1

A gas fired power station burns gas to heat water to generate steam to turn turbines to turn coils of wire in magnetic fields to generate electricity. (That should be a record number of verbs used in one sentence ;-)

A coal fired power station burns coal to heat water to generate steam to turn turbines to turn coils of wire in magnetic fields to generate electricity.

A nuclear power station uses the heat of nuclear reactions to heat water ...

A hydro power station uses falling water to turn turbines to turn coils of wire in magnetic fields to generate electricity.

A wind turbine uses the wind to turn coils of wire in magnetic fields to generate electricity.

Answer 2

A gas fired turbine (a jet engine is one) basically consists of a large tube inside which you find a compressor, a wheel formed by vanes, and a turbine, also a wheel with vanes. In between (also inside the tube) is a combustion chamber with fuel injector.

A starter motor will initiate the turning of the engine (the compressor and the turbine, since they are on the same shaft). The compressor wheel will start turning and draw air from the ambient and compress it, thus heating it. The compressed air is led through the combustion chamber and fuel is injected and ignited. The burning air/fuel mixture will expand and give its energy to the turbine. As long as fuel is injected and ignited the process will maintain itself. The jet coming out of the turbine can be used as propulsion off a plane (jet plane) or to make an additional wheel turn (the latter is then called a power turbine). The power turbine can be connected to a propeller shaft (via a gearbox) and propel a ship, or for instance to a generator in order to make electric power.