Motor vs. Engine? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

zxello · 09-01-2005, 09:08 PM

Ok..... so I just thought about this, whats the difference between a motor and an engine?

tec-9-7 · 09-01-2005, 10:08 PM

An engine always has moving parts; a motor doesn't have to. At least that's what I always heard.

Martian · 09-01-2005, 11:47 PM

An engine is a type of motor.

A motor is anything that makes something move, an engine is something that uses energy derived from a fuel to create useful work.

As a point of comparison, a steam engine converts wood or coal fuel into useful work, where a spring-driven motor (like in a wind-up toy) uses the potential energy found in the spring and has no fuel source. You could also have a hydraulic motor, like the water wheels used in old-fashioned grist mills, or a wind-driven one, like a windmill.

From an automotive standpoint, you have an electric motor or a gasoline engine. A gasoline engine is a type of motor, but an electric motor is not a type of engine.

bodypainter · 09-02-2005, 01:41 AM

You use motors to start engines.

Tech · 09-02-2005, 09:01 AM

one builds moats, the other lives in a teepee

... right?

zxello · 09-02-2005, 09:15 AM

think i got it now... so a woodchuck would chuck a bucket of wood if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

j8ear · 09-02-2005, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zxello

think i got it now... so a woodchuck would chuck a bucket of wood if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

This is only true if peter piper is picking AND packing pickled peppers.

If peter piper is only picking the pickled peppers then, two wrongs make a right and ish biddidly oak doak, bo-bo, di-dot, wad-ad, shisboomba!

Oh and don't forget about the quick brown fox jumping over the lazy dog. This can have a big impact on your answer as well.

Rest Begards...and Lood Guck!!!

-bear

Seriusly though:

Engine: a mechanism or object that serves as an energy source...i.e. a black hole can be an engine for quasars.

Motor: any of various power units that develop energy or impart motion.

^ Thank you m-w.com.

Racer · 09-07-2005, 09:13 AM

In the service, a motor is electric, an engine is fossil fueled.

Turbotom · 09-09-2005, 11:17 AM

In an aircraft, it's called a power plant.

-----------------------

Here:
Engine - a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion; also : a mechanism or object that serves as an energy source <black holes may be the engines for quasars>

Motor - 1 : one that imparts motion; specifically : PRIME MOVER
2 : any of various power units that develop energy or impart motion: as a : a small compact engine b : INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE; especially : a gasoline engine c : a rotating machine that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy

Thanks to Marriam Webster Online dictionary.

BigTruck1956 · 09-13-2005, 09:42 PM

...ironically, i should be studying thermodynamics right now...

An engine is a type of motor.

A motor is any device that converts energy to mechanical work, while an engine is a motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work.

09-01-2005, 09:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
zxello Addict Location: P-Town, WA	Motor vs. Engine? Ok..... so I just thought about this, whats the difference between a motor and an engine? __________________ Old signature just wasn't doing it for me anymore, so now I have this new one. It's equally as stupid but at least it looks really long. I'm probably just going to keep typing until I run out of things to babble about and see how many people actually read this. I once ran down a hill, fell down and hurt my elbow; my mom said I would be ok, she kissed it and made it all better. I've run out of things to say now, so if you have read this whole thing, congratulations you get a gold star!

09-01-2005, 11:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	An engine is a type of motor. A motor is anything that makes something move, an engine is something that uses energy derived from a fuel to create useful work. As a point of comparison, a steam engine converts wood or coal fuel into useful work, where a spring-driven motor (like in a wind-up toy) uses the potential energy found in the spring and has no fuel source. You could also have a hydraulic motor, like the water wheels used in old-fashioned grist mills, or a wind-driven one, like a windmill. From an automotive standpoint, you have an electric motor or a gasoline engine. A gasoline engine is a type of motor, but an electric motor is not a type of engine. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

09-02-2005, 09:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tech Addict Location: Baltimore MD	one builds moats, the other lives in a teepee ... right? __________________ -Tim- ~I swear sometimes i feel like i'm married to a child. ~You better watch who you're calling a child, Lois, cause if i'm a child than you know what that makes you? a pedophile. and i'll be damned if i'm going to stand here and be lectured by a pervert.

09-02-2005, 09:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
zxello Addict Location: P-Town, WA	think i got it now... so a woodchuck would chuck a bucket of wood if a woodchuck could chuck wood? __________________ Old signature just wasn't doing it for me anymore, so now I have this new one. It's equally as stupid but at least it looks really long. I'm probably just going to keep typing until I run out of things to babble about and see how many people actually read this. I once ran down a hill, fell down and hurt my elbow; my mom said I would be ok, she kissed it and made it all better. I've run out of things to say now, so if you have read this whole thing, congratulations you get a gold star!

09-09-2005, 11:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
Turbotom Tilted	In an aircraft, it's called a power plant. ----------------------- Here: Engine - a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion; also : a mechanism or object that serves as an energy source <black holes may be the engines for quasars> Motor - 1 : one that imparts motion; specifically : PRIME MOVER 2 : any of various power units that develop energy or impart motion: as a : a small compact engine b : INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE; especially : a gasoline engine c : a rotating machine that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy Thanks to Marriam Webster Online dictionary. Last edited by Turbotom; 09-09-2005 at 11:22 AM..

09-01-2005, 10:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
tec-9-7 Insane Location: Rainy Washington	An engine always has moving parts; a motor doesn't have to. At least that's what I always heard.

09-02-2005, 01:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
bodypainter Psycho Location: Sarasota	You use motors to start engines.

09-07-2005, 09:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
Racer Upright Location: Pensacola	In the service, a motor is electric, an engine is fossil fueled.

09-13-2005, 09:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
BigTruck1956 Psycho Location: norcal	...ironically, i should be studying thermodynamics right now... An engine is a type of motor. A motor is any device that converts energy to mechanical work, while an engine is a motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work. __________________ so much to do, so little time.....at least i aint bored.