Final answer:
A generator turns mechanical energy into electrical energy while a motor turns electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
A generator turns mechanical energy into electrical energy while a motor turns electrical energy into mechanical energy.
For example, an electric generator uses a source of mechanical energy, such as a steam turbine or a hydroelectric dam, to spin a coil of wire through a magnetic field, creating an electric current in the wire. This current can then be used to power electrical devices.
On the other hand, an electric motor uses an electric current to generate a magnetic field, which then interacts with the magnetic field produced by permanent magnets or electromagnets. This interaction causes the motor's rotor, typically a coil of wire, to spin and produce mechanical energy, providing the power to move machinery or devices.
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