Which pneumatic component provides straight line motion?

• A. Valve
• B. Pump
• C. Cylinder
• D. Compressor

Answer: (C)

The ability to produce straight-line motion in a pneumatic system comes from the pneumatic cylinder. A cylinder contains a piston that slides inside a bore; when compressed air is directed to one side of the piston, it pushes the piston along a straight path, and the attached rod extends or retracts accordingly. This converts the energy stored in compressed air into controlled linear movement, ideal for pushing, pulling, lifting, or clamping tasks.

Valves are the control elements that decide when and where air flows, enabling the cylinder to move, but they don’t create the motion themselves. A compressor provides the high-pressure air that powers the system; it is the energy source rather than the mover. A pump isn’t the standard device for generating pneumatic motion in typical industrial setups. So the cylinder is the component that delivers straight-line motion.