What do we call devices that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy?

Devices that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy are known as generators. Generators operate based on electromagnetic induction, a process where mechanical motion, often provided by turbines or engines, moves a conductor through a magnetic field. This movement induces an electrical current, thereby generating electricity.

Transformers, on the other hand, are used to change the voltage of alternating current electricity and do not convert mechanical energy. Electric motors do the opposite of generators; they convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Capacitors store electrical energy within an electric field but do not perform any conversion between mechanical energy and electrical energy. Therefore, among the given options, the device that accurately fulfills the role of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy is the generator.