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Because they convert heat to mechanical energy. In both cases they harnes the heat produced as fuel combusts and convert it to pressureized fluid. That fluid then either pushes a piston or pushes on turbine blades and spins a shaft creating usable mechanical energy. The only difference is where the combustion takes place, inside the engine (gasoline and diesel powere piston and turbines) or externally (wood, coal or other fuel powered steam turbines). Most fuels could be used for both internal and external combustion engines, the difference is if the fuel ever enters the engine itself or if only the steam or other working fluid enters the engine.

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Heat engines use heat to do work?

Yes. Heat engines come in various forms. For example, internal combustion using gasoline or diesel, external combustion (not much used), steam engines reciprocating or turbine, gas turbines, rocket engines.


What is a device that converts thermal energy into work?

A device that converts thermal energy into work is called a heat engine. Heat engines take thermal energy from a heat source, such as combustion or nuclear reactions, and convert it into mechanical work through processes like expansion of gases or steam. Examples include steam engines and internal combustion engines.


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Steam engines and diesel engines are heat engines. An electric motor isn't an engine - it converts and transfers power, but doesn't actually create it.


What device transforms heat energy into movement energy?

A heat engine, such as a steam engine or an internal combustion engine, transforms heat energy into movement energy. Heat is used to create pressure, which drives a piston or turbine, producing mechanical work.


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Only (some) steam engines used coal. It was burnt in a boiler to heat water to steam.


What was coal used for before electricity?

Before electricity, Coal was used for heat. Coal heat was used to create steam for steam engines on railroads and ships in transportation.


Machine that transforms heat into mechanical energy?

A ficticious heat engine that works at the maximum theoretical efficiency is called a Carnot engine. Real engines, that obviously work at a lesser efficiency, include the combustion engines found in cars.A ficticious heat engine that works at the maximum theoretical efficiency is called a Carnot engine. Real engines, that obviously work at a lesser efficiency, include the combustion engines found in cars.A ficticious heat engine that works at the maximum theoretical efficiency is called a Carnot engine. Real engines, that obviously work at a lesser efficiency, include the combustion engines found in cars.A ficticious heat engine that works at the maximum theoretical efficiency is called a Carnot engine. Real engines, that obviously work at a lesser efficiency, include the combustion engines found in cars.


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