Which component is responsible for compressing air in a jet engine?

The component responsible for compressing air in a jet engine is the compressor. Its primary function is to draw in ambient air and compress it to a higher pressure before it enters the combustion chamber. This is crucial for the engine's operation, as compressing the air increases its density, allowing for more efficient combustion when fuel is introduced. The greater pressure and density of air lead to a more powerful combustion process, which ultimately contributes to the thrust produced by the engine.

The turbine, while an essential component of the jet engine, primarily extracts energy from the exhaust gases to drive the compressor and other accessories. The combustion chamber is where the fuel-air mixture is ignited, and it does not play a role in compressing air. Lastly, the nozzle is responsible for controlling the flow of exhaust gases and increasing their velocity to produce thrust but does not affect the air compression within the engine. Thus, the compressor is the vital part that handles air compression in the jet engine.