What is a flywheel primarily used for in mechanical systems?

A flywheel is primarily utilized in mechanical systems to smooth out fluctuations in power output. Its main function is to act as a form of energy storage that can absorb excess energy when the input exceeds the output demand and release it when there is a shortfall. This ability to maintain a consistent power output helps stabilize the operation of engines or generators, mitigating variations that may arise during operation.

In practical applications, when the flywheel spins, it accumulates kinetic energy. If the system experiences a surge in demand or a temporary reduction in input, the flywheel can release the stored energy, thus maintaining a steady level of performance. This characteristic is particularly valuable in applications such as automotive engines and power generation where consistent performance is critical.

The other options, while related to mechanical systems, do not accurately capture the primary function of a flywheel. For instance, while energy loss reduction may occur indirectly due to more stable operations, it is not the flywheel's main purpose. Converting rotary motion to linear motion pertains more to devices like crankshafts or cams. Storing electrical energy is a function typically associated with batteries or capacitors rather than flywheels, although flywheels can store mechanical energy for later conversion, this is secondary to their primary role of