What component of an engine is responsible for turning combustible fuel into energy?

The crankshaft is the component of an engine that converts the linear motion of the pistons into rotational energy, which is essential for turning the wheels of a vehicle. When fuel combusts in the cylinders, it pushes the pistons down. This downward movement is then transferred to the crankshaft, which rotates and helps drive the vehicle forward.

The other components listed play different roles in the engine's operation. The piston is crucial for the movement caused by combustion but does not itself convert fuel into energy. The camshaft controls the timing of the valve openings and closings, facilitating the intake of air and fuel and the expulsion of exhaust gases, but it does not directly convert fuel into energy. The cylinder head houses the intake and exhaust valves and forms the top of the combustion chamber but does not perform the function of fuel energy conversion. Thus, the crankshaft is the key component responsible for utilizing combusted fuel to generate usable engine power.