Engine..or Motor? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

elchivito · #46 03-05-2011, 10:21 AM

While the fuel = engine and electricity = motor definitions are probably correct, in common usage I don't think it matters and may be a regional thing like much of the language. I rarely say engine, nor do I hear it used much in conversation. Around here " his timing belt busted and fried that motor" is much more common.

MS Fowler · #47 03-05-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

While the fuel = engine and electricity = motor definitions are probably correct, in common usage I don't think it matters and may be a regional thing like much of the language. I rarely say engine, nor do I hear it used much in conversation. Around here " his timing belt busted and fried that motor" is much more common.

To nearly quote the Queen of Hearts, " ...and that just PROVES you are wrong!"

Can we break 100 posts?

chilcutt · #48 03-05-2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

To nearly quote the Queen of Hearts, " ...and that just PROVES you are wrong!"

Can we break 100 posts?

What is the 'Queen of Hearts' thingy? Serious question.

Matt L · #49 03-05-2011, 12:34 PM

Humpty Dumpty might disagree.

It's from the Alice in Wonderland series, chilcutt.

chilcutt · #50 03-05-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

Humpty Dumpty might disagree.

It's from the Alice in Wonderland series, chilcutt.

I see.
I have an idea, lets hi-jack this thread, the debate has been settled after all.

Matt L · #51 03-05-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

I see.
I have an idea, lets hi-jack this thread, the debate has been settled after all.

If you can't beat them, join them. Or something like that.

But no, that's not what happened.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humpty Dumpty

When I use a word, it means exactly what I choose it to mean. Nothing more, nor less.

Although the quote is probably not quite correct. But I digress.

I see little distinction between the two.

A motor or an engine is a device which converts some sort of potential energy into mechanical energy.

Engine typically (but not always) refers to a device which uses chemical energy, specifically oxidation. Motor is used for everything. An engine is a motor.

chilcutt · #52 03-05-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

If you can't beat them, join them. Or something like that.

But no, that's not what happened.

Although the quote is probably not quite correct. But I digress.

I see little distinction between the two.

A motor or an engine is a device which converts some sort of potential energy into mechanical energy.

Engine typically (but not always) refers to a device which uses chemical energy, specifically oxidation. Motor is used for everything. An engine is a motor.

An Engine cant be a Motor, because it doesnt use electricity. But a Motor could be called an Engine if you dont know what the correct usage of the term is.

Matt L · #53 03-05-2011, 02:31 PM

You're trying to impart nonexistent meanings to these words.

Motor does not imply electrical motor. For a very quick example, I have a number of air motors in the garage.

Matt L · #54 03-05-2011, 02:37 PM

And I should say that I missed a subtlety above.

I said something to the effect that an engine was a motor that converted chemical energy to mechanical energy. That is not quite correct.

An engine is a motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical energy.

Rocket engine, airplane engine, car engine. They're all motors.

chilcutt · #55 03-05-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

And I should say that I missed a subtlety above.

I said something to the effect that an engine was a motor that converted chemical energy to mechanical energy. That is not quite correct.

An engine is a motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical energy.

Rocket engine, airplane engine, car engine. They're all motors.

Rocket engine, Airplane engine, Car engines all use fuel, there is no electricity being converted for energy...Are we in agreement on this statement?

Matt L · #56 03-05-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

Rocket engine, Airplane engine, Car engines all use fuel, there is no electricity being converted for energy...Are we in agreement on this statement?

I agree that they don't use electricity.

I most emphatically do not agree that the use of electricity is what defines a motor.

What of a Sterling engine? It does not need to use a chemical fuel.

What of an air motor? No electricity there.

chilcutt · #57 03-05-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

I agree that they don't use electricity.

I most emphatically do not agree that the use of electricity is what defines a motor.

What of a Sterling engine? It does not need to use a chemical fuel.

What of an air motor? No electricity there.

Good points, altho I havent a clue as to what a Sterling Engine is. How does that invention make energy?

Matt L · #58 03-05-2011, 03:01 PM

A Sterling engine allows heat to move from a source to a sink (where of course, the source temperature exceeds the sink temperature). Mechanical energy can be extracted from the movement of heat. Sterling's engine is a demonstration of one way to do it without burning fuel.

There's tons of documentation on the web about these. And while you could easily build one without a kit, you can buy kits to even more easily assemble one of these things. You can get one that will sit in the palm of your hand, cranking a little wheel around with your body heat.

chilcutt · #59 03-05-2011, 03:06 PM

Very interesting, I will research it. TY.
Good thing it is classified as an Engine.

MS Fowler · #60 03-05-2011, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

What is the 'Queen of Hearts' thingy? Serious question.

Not exact quotes, but close enough to get the idea.

Prosecutor: We know you did it. We have your signed confession!

Alice: I never signed anything.

Prosecutor: See! That proves you're guilty!