An electric motor converts (1) electrical energy into mechanical energy. (2) mechanical energy into electrical energy. (3) heat energy into electrical energy. (4) None of the above

Electrical energy is the form of energy that is carried by moving electrons in an electric conductor. It's what powers our homes, our schools, and in the context of our exercise, electric motors. It is a versatile and easily convertible form of energy.

In an electric motor, electrical energy is transformed into mechanical energy. This process involves a magnetic field that interacts with the electric current in the motor's coil, causing motion. This is the fundamental principle behind most of the appliances you use in your daily life, from hairdryers to electric cars. Through this energy conversion, devices can perform work, which includes anything that involves causing movement.

Mechanical energy, on the other hand, is the energy associated with the motion and position of an object. It is the sum of kinetic energy, related to an object's movement, and potential energy, related to its position.

When electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy in an electric motor, it enables motion. This can be the spinning of a fan, the turning of wheels on a car, or the rotation of a drill bit. Mechanical energy is what accomplishes the physical tasks that we need machines to do for us.

A thermoelectric generator is another device used for energy conversion, but it operates on a different principle than an electric motor. Instead of converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, a thermoelectric generator converts heat energy (thermal energy) into electrical energy.

It uses the Seebeck effect, where a temperature difference between two different materials generates a voltage. This phenomenon is utilized in various applications, such as power generation in remote areas or using waste heat from an engine or industrial process to generate additional electricity.

Energy transformation, also known as energy conversion, is the process of changing energy from one form to another. This is a basic principle of physics that dictates that while energy can change in form, the total amount of energy remains the same, as stated by the law of conservation of energy.

In the context of the exercise, we're discussing the energy transformation that occurs within an electric motor. The electric motor is designed specifically to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy efficiently. This energy transformation is pivotal in our modern world, letting us harness electricity—a form of energy that is easy to transport and control—to do a huge variety of mechanical tasks.