The compressor wheel is shaft driven by the ______.

The compressor wheel is shaft driven by the ______.

• A. Crankshaft
• B. Turbine
• C. Alternator
• D. Flywheel

Answer: (B)

In a turbocharger, the energy from exhaust gases turns the turbine wheel. Because the turbine and the compressor are mounted on the same shaft, that rotation directly drives the compressor wheel. So the compressor is shaft driven by the turbine, which is why boosting the intake air relies on the turbine’s wind-up from exhaust flow. The other components aren’t involved in driving the compressor: the crankshaft powers the engine’s pistons and isn’t the direct driver of the turbo’s compressor; the alternator provides electrical power; the flywheel stores rotational energy to smooth engine torque.

In a turbocharger, the energy from exhaust gases turns the turbine wheel. Because the turbine and the compressor are mounted on the same shaft, that rotation directly drives the compressor wheel. So the compressor is shaft driven by the turbine, which is why boosting the intake air relies on the turbine’s wind-up from exhaust flow.

The other components aren’t involved in driving the compressor: the crankshaft powers the engine’s pistons and isn’t the direct driver of the turbo’s compressor; the alternator provides electrical power; the flywheel stores rotational energy to smooth engine torque.