A small power drill or electric mixer would probably be powered by a/an ______ motor.

A small power drill or electric mixer is typically powered by a series motor because these types of motors are designed for applications that require high starting torque and variable speed control. Series motors have their field windings connected in series with the armature, which allows the motor to draw higher current during startup. This characteristic provides the necessary torque to overcome initial inertia quickly, making them well-suited for tools and appliances that have heavy loads or need a significant amount of power at startup.

In the context of a power drill or electric mixer, the ability to accelerate quickly and maintain a reduction in speed under load is beneficial for efficient operation. Series motors can also handle fluctuations in load effectively, which is often the case with handheld tools that may encounter varying resistance as they operate.

Although other motor types like induction, shunt, or stepper motors have their uses in various applications, they do not provide the same level of high torque at startup or the capability for significant speed variation under load as series motors do. Induction motors, for instance, are more suited for constant-speed applications and typically do not handle load changes as well as series motors. Shunt motors offer more constant speeds but don't provide the same starting torque, and stepper motors are used in precise positioning applications