Yes, plane engines, specifically jet engines, absolutely need oxygen to function.
Jet engines operate by burning fuel, and combustion, the process of burning, requires oxygen. The jet engine sucks in air from the atmosphere, compresses it, mixes it with fuel, and then ignites the mixture. The rapid expansion of gases from this combustion creates thrust, propelling the plane forward. Without oxygen, the fuel cannot burn, and the engine cannot produce thrust.
Here's a breakdown of why oxygen is crucial:
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Combustion Requirement: Jet engines are internal combustion engines. Combustion is a chemical process that requires a fuel (typically kerosene-based jet fuel) and an oxidizer. In this case, oxygen from the air serves as the oxidizer.
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Atmospheric Dependence: Jet engines are dependent on the surrounding atmosphere for their oxygen supply. This limits their operation to regions with a sufficient atmospheric density to provide the necessary oxygen for combustion.
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High Altitude Limitations: While planes can fly at high altitudes where the air is thinner, there is still enough oxygen to support combustion. However, at extremely high altitudes where the air becomes too thin, jet engines can no longer operate efficiently, and other types of propulsion, like rocket engines (which carry their own oxidizer), are required.
In summary, jet engines rely on atmospheric oxygen for combustion to generate thrust. Therefore, they are limited to operating within the Earth's atmosphere where sufficient oxygen is present.
