I saw an interesting program last night and they asked several engineers whats the difference between a motor and an engine. The engineers couldn't give a definite answer... so what do you think the definition in?

gas engine
diesel engine
steam engine
sterling engine
gas turbine engine
electric motor
Hmmm....seems only the electrical-type offically uses "motor". Dunno why tho'.
oops!...boat motor Outboard motor...more
My brain hurts now!

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Webster's defines ENGINE as a machine for converting energy in to mechanical motion; and MOTOR as a machine that produces motion or power for doing work.

So, it kind of sounds like engines are what makes things move, and a motor can make something move OR it can do something else.

Did they give the answer at the end of the show?

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Natalie

Isn't it a Stirling engine after it's inventor the Rev. Robert Stirling?

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Nope.. even an engineer for Toyota was stumped and couldn't give an answer. They asked why was Detroit known as a "Motor City" instead of "Engine City" and he laughed.

They should have asked a Mercedes engineer.

What was the point of asking if they didn't give the answer??

I do think it has something to do with motion. You have stepper motor, servo motors etc, that would never be called 'engines'. I think if it causes motion, you can use engine and motor interchangably. If it doesn't cause motion, then it's a motor only.

How are we going to find the answer??

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Natalie

What about war engine to describe an old catapault or other type of warfare tool?
Electric and steam come as ready to use energy.
Gas, diesel, alcohol have to be manipulated. I would say this is where the answer lay except for the steam engine thing. That may just have been popular usage though and not correct.

Then there's a "Search engine".

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

Found on a search engine:
http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/engine.htm

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

I doubt that they would want themselves to be called "motor-eers" ...

Here's a guess, an engine has an expansion chamber from which work is derived.

Steam engine
Diesel
Gasoline
Turbine??

Motor derives energy from outside source and converts it to work.
Electric motor
Windmill
Water wheel

But wait, windmills and water wheels are impulse turbines. So maybe a turbine is a motor? But it has an internal expansion chamber.

Got me.

My kids would call them all "thingies".

Botnst

It very simple:

An engine uses a chemical reaction to create heat which causes expansion of a liquid or gas which drives a piston or turbine to create mechanical motion and energy.

A motor converts another form of energy such as electricity, moving air, hydraulic, ETC to mechanical motion and energy. Although motors may get hot, they do not derive their source of propulsion from heat.

P E H

Steam powered machinery is powered by gas expansion and concommitant temp drop inside a turbine or piston. They were called engines before there was electric motors.

Botnst

The answer is even more simple than that:

They can be used interchangeably.

Gilly

Oh yeah, Oel Motor

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
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