Final answer:
The two most commonly used types of thrust reversers are the bucket-type and the sliding cowl reverser, both of which help planes to slow down safely by redirecting the engine's exhaust flow to produce reverse thrust.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two most commonly used types of thrust reversers on jet engines are the bucket-type (also known as clamshell or cascade type) and the sliding cowl reverser. The bucket-type thrust reverser works by deploying a set of doors (or buckets) which redirect the exhaust flow forward, thus creating reverse thrust. In contrast, the sliding cowl reverser uses a mechanism that slides the rear part of the engine cowl backwards, which exposes cascade vanes or blocker doors that likewise redirect the exhaust flow to produce reverse thrust.
These systems are crucial for safely slowing down an aircraft during landing, as they help to reduce the reliance on wheel brakes and enable shorter landing distances. While they share the same fundamental purpose, they use different mechanisms to achieve the desired reversal of engine thrust.