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Flywheel: principal function in engines Identify the primary purpose of a flywheel in a reciprocating engine with cyclic torque fluctuations. Choose the correct option.

Difficulty: Easy

Convert piston's reciprocating motion into rotary motion
Convert crankshaft rotation into valve reciprocation
Prevent fluctuation of speed (store/release kinetic energy)
Keep the engine speed perfectly uniform at all loads

Correct Answer: Prevent fluctuation of speed (store/release kinetic energy)

Explanation:

Concept
A flywheel stores kinetic energy during power strokes and releases it during non-power strokes, thereby reducing speed fluctuation. It cannot keep speed perfectly uniform under varying load (governors address average speed).

Why others are wrong
(a) is the crank mechanism's job, (b) is done by cams/eccentrics/valve gear, (d) is idealized and not achievable solely by a flywheel.

Final Answer
Prevent fluctuation of speed (store/release kinetic energy)

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Flywheel: principal function in engines Identify the primary purpose of a flywheel in a reciprocating engine with cyclic torque fluctuations. Choose the correct option.

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