In a DC motor, what is the name of the rotating part?

In a DC motor, the rotating part is known as the armature. The armature is crucial because it contains the windings, which are typically composed of metal wire coiled around a core. When electrical current flows through these windings, it generates a magnetic field, allowing the armature to rotate within the magnetic field produced by the stator. The rotation of the armature is what ultimately produces the mechanical output of the motor.

Understanding the distinction between the armature and other components is vital. For instance, the stator refers to the stationary part of the motor that includes the magnetic field source, which remains fixed while the armature spins. Windings denote the coils of wire that can be present in both the armature and stator, thus they are integral yet not the rotating part themselves. The commutator, on the other hand, functions as a mechanical switch that reverses the current direction in the armature windings, ensuring that the torque produced remains unidirectional, but is not the rotating part itself. Hence, the armature is indeed the correct answer as it is the primary component responsible for rotation in a DC motor.