Which type of engine uses reciprocating pistons to create rotary motion?

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The correct choice is the internal combustion engine. This type of engine operates by igniting a fuel-air mixture within a combustion chamber, which causes the resultant pressure from the explosion to push the pistons. These reciprocating pistons move up and down within their cylinders, and as they do so, they convert linear motion into rotary motion via the crankshaft. This rotary motion is what ultimately powers the vehicle and its drivetrain.

By contrast, a rotary engine operates on a completely different principle, utilizing an elliptical rotor to create motion rather than pistons. Hybrid engines combine both internal combustion engines and electric motors to optimize efficiency but do not specifically describe the reciprocating piston mechanism. Turbocharged engines refer to a specific enhancement method for internal combustion engines, where a turbocharger is used to force more air into the combustion chamber to increase power output, and thus they still function based on the principles of the internal combustion engine.

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