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HungryLikeTheWolf99 t1_j6io62r wrote

The most important difference is reciprocating mass. Piston engines have reciprocating masses - things that move one way, then turn around and move the opposite way, all along the same axis. In a turbine engine, it just goes round and round, so nothing has to handle all the force of repeatedly reversing direction. It's also called an "engine", but it works entirely differently, and so very different physical limitations apply.

You're getting other answers that are sort of fixating on the "diesel" part of your question and why diesel engines rev a little lower than gasoline engines, but that's not the critical difference between piston engines and turbine engines - it's all about the reciprocation.

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ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6izx1y wrote

I know OP said turbine engine, but I'm pretty sure they that just meant a regular gas internal combustion.

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TheJeeronian t1_j6j0qv7 wrote

Doubtful. Never seen a "regular" piston engine that comes anywhere near 10k revs.

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MotoMatt5040 t1_j6j1gam wrote

You've gotta be kidding me? There's plenty that can rev higher. Motorcycles?? Even modded engines can rev to 14k+

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ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6j15e9 wrote

Hmmm, fair point. There are some very high performance gas piston motors that can do 9-9500, but unless they were looking st a Ferrari or a Shelby Mustang than you're right

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HungryLikeTheWolf99 t1_j6j3748 wrote

Then there's the "similar fuel" comment. Diesel and jet fuel are more similar than diesel and gasoline.

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ScienceIsSexy420 t1_j6j3odg wrote

Also true, but there are gasoline turbines (like the engine in the M1 Abrams)

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TheJeeronian t1_j6jz0me wrote

Gas turbines can eat damn near anything, so it's not clear. Jet fuel is popular for jets but gasoline and diesel and natural gas are all common in gas turbines.

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