Which component of an electric motor is typically the stationary part?

In an electric motor, the stationary part is known as the stator. The stator consists of coils of wire or permanent magnets that create a magnetic field. This magnetic field interacts with the rotor, which is the rotating component, to create motion. The design of the stator allows it to remain fixed while the rotor spins inside it, enabling the conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy.

In contrast, the rotor is the rotating part of the motor that turns due to the magnetic forces created by the stator. The commutator, often used in DC motors, is a device that reverses the direction of current in the rotor windings to maintain continuous rotation but does not serve as a stationary component. The armature, which is part of the rotor in many designs, carries the current that creates the magnetic field necessary for motion. Thus, the stator clearly fits the description of the stationary component within an electric motor.