Engine or Motor?, age old question

We all call it something different.
I was allways taught. fuel powered = engine, Electric powered = motor.

But after watching some TV science program it seems there is an ongoing discussion as to the correct defination of each.

Just for fun Rocket Engine and Rocket Motor both use fuel ??
The good old Outboard Motor?

What say the great Tacoma folks?

 

Tomato Toma(h)to

 

motor in my truck

 

Engine. Although as a boat owner myself you raise a good point about the outboard motor.

 

My opinion is:

Fuel powered = engine

Electric powered = motor

Rocket engine and outboard engine. Rockets use fuel, not electricity.

 

According to the dictionary, they can both be used for several applications:

Motor: 1. Something, such as a machine or an engine, that produces or imparts motion.
2. A device that converts any form of energy into mechanical energy, especially an internal-combustion engine or an arrangement of coils and magnets that converts electric current into mechanical power.
3. A motor vehicle, especially an automobile.

Engine: A machine with moving parts that converts power into motion.<LI style="LIST-STYLE-TYPE: decimal">A thing that is the agent or instrument of a particular process: "exports used to be the engine of growth".

 

Motor vehicle propelled by an ENGINE

 

All engines are motors but not all motors are engines.


Chris

 

See, confusing aint it!!

 

Either or. But I tend to agree with Whipper, I'll let it slip but I feel I'm doing the people around me a disservice when I call an "engine" a "motor".

 

Internal combustion engine..... electric motor... and believe me, I know everything. What?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor

Either

 

I look at it as an engine which is started by a motor an supported by a generator(alternator). Just my thoughts.

 

Motor. Because when I say engine, I'm talking about a fire truck.

 

Detroit, Michigan - Motor City. End Thread

 

When THE KING Richard Petty hollars over the mike to the crew " Thats it the MOTOR blowed up " That's as good as being endorsed by Chuck Norris!

 

In a car or truck I say engine. Motorcycle or boat I say motor.

 

Pretty sure it's called America's second arm pit

 

Been there recently? It's a lot worse than an armpit!