what is a commutator? what is its importance in classical mechanics?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Do you mean the commutator in electric machines: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commutator_%28electric%29

anonymous · Answer

a device that reverses the direction of flow of current through a circuit is called as a commutator.in electric motors,the split ring acts as a commutator.

anonymous · Answer

sry .. i need the answer about commutator operator in calssical mechanics

anonymous · Answer

That sounds as something not used any more. When a mechanical computer information-fed by a perforated paper rolls or flash cards sensed the holes along the paper with small prongs, the small movements from the prongs activated a pre-design mechanical paths to add, subtract, multiply or divide the data input.  Such stuff was outdated by the invention of electrical systems (vacuum tube computers).