The crankshaft is typically connected to which component in an engine?

The crankshaft is typically connected to the flywheel in an engine. The flywheel serves multiple purposes, but its primary function is to store rotational energy and help smooth out the delivery of power from the crankshaft to the drivetrain. As the crankshaft rotates due to the combustion process in the engine, it transfers motion to the flywheel that, in turn, helps maintain the momentum of the engine’s rotation even when power delivery is intermittent during the engine cycle.

In addition to its role in stability and smoothness, the flywheel also aids in starting the engine by providing a larger surface area for a starter to engage with, which can help in starting the engine more effectively. The connection between the crankshaft and the flywheel also allows for efficient energy transfer needed to convert the engine's power into useful work.

Considering the other options, while the piston is a major component of an engine that works in conjunction with the crankshaft (as the crankshaft converts the linear motion of pistons into rotational motion), it is not directly connected but rather linked through connecting rods. The camshaft plays a different role by controlling the opening and closing of the engine’s valves, and the spark plug is crucial for igniting the fuel-air mixture in a combustion engine,