Use of Transformers Flashcards
All 6 cards in this deck
What is the advantage of transmitting electricity at a very high potential difference?
The current is very low, so less energy is transferred to the surroundings by heating in the cables, making transmission more efficient.
What effect does a step-up transformer have on the current in the transmission cables?
It decreases the current (as it increases the potential difference).
Which equation explains why a low current in the transmission cables reduces energy losses?
— power lost as heating in the cables depends on the square of the current.
True or false? Electricity is transmitted at high potential difference because energy travels faster along the cables.
False. It is to keep the current low so less energy is wasted heating the cables.
True or false? Step-up transformers increase the amount of energy supplied to the National Grid.
False. They increase the potential difference and decrease the current; they do not create energy.
What would be the effect of transmitting electricity along the National Grid at a low potential difference?
The current would be high, so much more energy would be wasted heating the cables and transmission would be less efficient.