What part of an AC motor is responsible for rotation?

The rotor is the component of an AC motor that is responsible for rotation. In an AC motor, the rotor is the rotating part that turns within the magnetic field produced by the stator. As alternating current flows through the stator windings, it generates a rotating magnetic field. This field interacts with the rotor and induces a current in it, causing the rotor to turn. The rotor's design can vary, but it generally consists of conductive materials like copper or aluminum that create magnetic fields when energized, leading to the rotational motion necessary for the motor's operation.

The stator, which houses the winding that creates the magnetic field, remains stationary and does not rotate. The armature is more commonly associated with certain types of DC motors, while a commutator is a component used in DC motors to reverse the current direction in the armature windings. In contrast, AC motors use induction principles to generate motion without the need for a commutator.