What is an electric motor primarily used for?

An electric motor is primarily designed to convert electrical energy into kinetic energy. This process allows the motor to produce mechanical motion, which is utilized in a wide variety of applications, from household appliances to industrial machinery.

When an electric current passes through the winding of the motor, it generates a magnetic field. This magnetic field interacts with magnets or other windings in the motor, causing the rotor to turn and create motion. This transformation is fundamental to the operation of devices like fans, pumps, and electric vehicles, where the purpose is to harness electrical energy to perform work through movement.

The other options focus on different energy conversions that do not apply to the function of an electric motor. For example, converting electrical energy into chemical energy is characteristic of processes like electrolysis, while generating electrical energy from mechanical energy describes the operation of generators, not motors. Storing electrical energy pertains to devices like batteries or capacitors, which serve a different purpose entirely. Thus, the primary role of an electric motor as a converter of electrical energy into kinetic energy stands out clearly.