Transformers Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What does a transformer do?

It changes the size of an alternating potential difference (voltage).

What are the three main parts of a transformer?

A primary coil, a secondary coil, and an iron core.

How does the current in the primary coil of a transformer induce a current in the secondary coil?

The alternating current in the primary coil makes a changing magnetic field in the core, which induces an alternating p.d. (and current) in the secondary coil.

True or false? A transformer will work when connected to a battery.

False. A battery gives a steady direct current, so the magnetic field does not change and no p.d. is induced.

How can you tell from its coils that a transformer is a step-up transformer?

It has more turns on the secondary coil than on the primary coil, so the output p.d. is larger.

What is the job of the iron core in a transformer?

It links the changing magnetic field from the primary coil to the secondary coil.