Final answer:
In a gas-powered car, the battery is responsible for producing electrical energy that helps start the engine.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a gas-powered car, a battery produces electrical energy to help start the car. This is because a battery stores chemical potential energy, which is then converted into electrical energy when the battery is connected to a car's electrical system. This electrical energy powers the starter motor which, in turn, initiates the combustion process within the engine — allowing the car to start. Although the battery does provide some electricity for the car's electrical systems while the engine runs, it is not directly responsible for producing mechanical work to rotate the tires, nor does it generate the thermal energy required by the heating and cooling system; these functions are primarily the result of the engine's operation and use of fuel.