electric motor

Machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. There are various types, including direct-current and induction motors, most of which produce rotary motion. A linear induction motor produces linear (in a straight line) rather than rotary motion. Electric motors and generators have the same components; they differ in the way they are used.

A simple direct-current motor consists of a horseshoe-shaped permanent magnet with a wire-wound coil (armature) mounted so that it can rotate between the poles of the magnet. The ends of the wire are connected to a commutator. This reverses the current (from a battery) fed to the coil on each half turn, which rotates because of the mechanical force exerted on a conductor carrying a current in a magnetic field.