Who knows the difference between a motor and an engine?
Rosco McGlashan OAM
Australian World Land Speed Record Challenger - Driver at Aussie Invader 5R
Did you know that all engines are motors, but not all motors are engines... confused?
DEFINITIONS
- Motor: A motor is a machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion.
- Engine: An engine is a motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work often through moving parts.
So an engine is a specific type of motor. So an engine is a motor, but a motor is not necessarily an engine. It's correct to speak of a motorboat, or a motorcar, or a motor speedway, even if the boat or car is clearly powered by combustion.
It gets even more confusing when you apply it to rocketry...
Rocket definitions
Liquid propellant rockets are called Engines and solid propellant rockets have no moving parts and are therefore Motors.
The Aussie Invader team are in the process of developing a liquid bi-propellant rocket for Aussie Invader 5R, our 1000MPH land speed car. We are using a liquid bi-propellant engine and the propellants are pressure fed!
Rule of thumb for Rocketry:
- Liquid propellants = engine
- Solid propellants = motor
To find out more about our project, please visit the Aussie Invader website.
But a v8 petrol sounds better
Managing Director at Classics & Collectibles Garage
5yThe Electric Motor produces full linear torque from Start to finish and Max Torque is produce from the time you first apply current ! A Petrol engine produces varying torque ranges condusive to the RPM range from a 4 stroke/cycle under varing conditions