Electric motor

An electric motor converts electricity into mechanical motion.

There are several types.

The classic DC motor has an armature of electromagnets. A rotary switch called a commutator forces electric current to flow through the armature so that the electromagnets much and pull on permanent magnets on the ourside of the motor.

Rge classic AC motor is a shaded-pole synchronous motor. It strongly resembles an AC motor, but the outside magnets are made from electromagnets. One outside, stationary magnet is intentionally weakened (the "shaded pole") so that the motor has a preferred directoin of starting.