Gas Engines

[Raymond Bunch]

Why do people continue to call internal combustion engines motors? Is it just a lack of knowing the difference between an electric motor that runs on electricity? Or an interal combustion engine that runs on gas? Or gasses...lol. propane ect....

 

[Warp6]

I think it's just a form of slang. Most people who mess with cars know the difference.

 

[antiquettype]

An electric motor is not an engine. But an internal combustion engine is a type of motor.

 

[ngc414]

An electric motor is not an engine. But an internal combustion engine is a type of motor.

What he said. Motor can be used to refer to anything that imparts motion. Like motor car, motor cycle a gasoline engine is a type of motor.
In medicine things like Motor skills and motor neurons which send singles for movement. Motor can accuratly refer to many things.
as defined by websters: Motor: one that imparts motion; specifically : prime mover
2: any of various power units that develop energy or impart motion

 

["Turbo-T"]

Why do they call it "motor oil" if it goes in an engine?

 

[INEEDAGN]

Why is it called a "building" if you are done building it? Should be a "built"

Why do you park in a driveway an drive in a parkway?

"Cargo" goes by ship, "shipment" goes by truck, you have a pair of panties but just one bra.........

Sorry couldn't resist the gallagher humor.

 

[Dabigguy]

A steam engine is not an internal combustion engine.

 

[CamoDeafie]

A steam engine is not an internal combustion engine.

quite correct it isn't an Internal.....


time for semantics; lol. if its powered by a coal fired boiler, it could be considered a combustion engine, though the primary difference is that you compress steam in pistons to give force , unlike the gasoline combustion engine that compress, ignite, and give force by controlled explosion....whereas in the steam piston, the steam is generated from an external combustion source....

however, you are imparting motion, hence motor; want something odd? look up hydraulic drive motors; they aren't combustion engines, but they impart motion on many things