Which form of energy does a car's engine primarily convert into $\mathrm{mechanical} \mathrm{energy}$?

• A. $\mathrm{Nuclear} \mathrm{energy}$
• B. $\mathrm{Thermal} \mathrm{energy}$
• C. $\mathrm{Chemical} \mathrm{energy}$
• D. $\mathrm{Electrical} \mathrm{energy}$

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a car's engine converts energy from one form to another to produce mechanical energy, which moves the car.
2. Identify the source of energy in a car's engine: the fuel (such as gasoline) contains stored energy in the form of chemical energy.
3. Recognize that when the fuel combusts inside the engine, the chemical energy is released and transformed into thermal energy (heat).
4. The engine then converts this thermal energy into mechanical energy through the movement of pistons and other engine components.
5. Therefore, the primary form of energy converted by a car's engine into mechanical energy is chemical energy stored in the fuel.