1 (a) The transformer in Fig. 8.1 is used to convert 240 V a.c. to 6 V a.c.

iron core

A
C

D
B

primary secondary coil coil

(480 turns)

Fig. 8.1

(i) Using the information above, calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil.

number of turns = ..........12 turns...................................... [2]

(ii) Describe how the transformer works.

The core of the transformer works to direct the path of the magnetic

field between the primary and secondary coils to prevent wasted
energy. Once the magnetic field reaches the secondary coil, it forces
the electrons within it to move, creating an electric current via
electromotive force [3]

(iii) State one way in which energy is lost from the transformer, and from which part it is
lost.

.............................................resistance of copper
windings ........................................................................... [1]

(b) Fig. 8.2 shows a device labelled “IGCSE Transformer”.

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 Fig. 8.2

Study the label on the case of the IGCSE Transformer.

(i) What is the output of the device? ...........................................12 V dc............................ [1]

(ii) From the information on the case, deduce what other electrical component must be included
within the case of the IGCSE Transformer, apart from a transformer.

.......................................................diode..................................................................... [1]

(c) A transformer supplying electrical energy to a factory changes the 11 000 V a.c. supply to
440 V a.c. for use in the factory. The current in the secondary coil is 200 A.

Calculate the current in the primary coil, assuming no losses from the transformer.

current = ......................5000 a..........................

[2] [Total: 10]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
2 Fig. 8.1 shows a simple transformer.

iron core

primary se con dary

coil coil

Fig. 8.1

(a) Describe how a voltage across the primary coil causes a voltage across the secondary coil.

When a transformer is working: a primary voltage drives an alternating current through the
primary coil. the primary coil current produces a magnetic field, which changes as the current
changes. .the changing magnetic field induces a changing potential difference in the secondary
coil. [3]

(b) State what design feature would cause the voltage across the secondary coil to be larger than
the voltage across the primary coil.

More turns in
secondary .................................................................................................................................
..................

.............................................................................................................................................
[1]

(c) The output of a power station is connected to a transformer, which you are to assume is
100% efficient.

The input to the primary coil is 24 000 V, 12 000 A.

The output from the secondary coil is 400 000 V. This is the voltage at which the electrical
energy is transmitted through the transmission lines.

Calculate the current in the secondary coil.

current = .............200000a............................................ [2]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (d) State two reasons why it is cheaper to transmit electrical energy at high voltage.

1. ..............................................................................minimized energy

losses ................................................................. ....................................................................

...............................................................................

2. ..............due to minimized energy loss thinner wire can be

used .................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 8]

3 A coil is wound on a cylindrical cardboard tube and connected to a sensitive centre-zero

millivoltmeter.

Figs. 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 show three situations involving the coil and a magnet.

(a) On the lines alongside each situation, describe what, if anything, is seen happening on the
millivoltmeter.

N ...................................................................................
magnet inside coil,
................................................................................... both moving at
mV same ................................................................................... speed
...................................................................................
............................................................................. [1]
Fig. S8.1
magnet
moving ...................................................................................
N towards coil ...................................................................................

...................................................................................
coil stationary
mV ...................................................................................
............................................................................. [1]
Fig. 8.2
magnet
N

mV

................................................................................... stationary
...................................................................................

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 coil moving ................................................................................... towards
magnet ...................................................................................

............................................................................. [2]
Fig. 8.3
(b) Choose one of the situations in (a) where something is seen happening to the millivoltmeter.
For this situation, state three changes which could be made to increase the magnitude of
what is seen.

1. ..................................................increase in
voltage .............................................................................................

2. ...........more turns in
coil ....................................................................................................................................

3. ..................stronger
magnet ....................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 7]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
4 Alternating current electricity is delivered at 22 000 V to a pair of transmission lines. The
transmission lines carry the electricity to the customer at the receiving end, where the
potential difference is V. This is shown in Fig. 10.1. Each transmission line has a resistance
of 3 Ω.

22 000 V

3Ω
V
3Ω

Fig. 10.1

(a) The a.c. generator actually generates at a much lower voltage than 22 000 V.

(i) Suggest how the voltage is increased to 22 000 V.

.....increasing number of turn in

transformer ....................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) State one advantage of delivering electrical energy at high voltage.

............less energy is
lossed ................................................................................................................ [1]

(b) The power delivered by the generator is 55 kW. Calculate the current in the transmission
lines.

current = ...............................1200a................. [2]

(c) Calculate the rate of loss of energy from one of the 3 Ω transmission lines.

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 rate of energy loss = ................................................ [2]

(d) Calculate the voltage drop across one of the transmission lines.

voltage drop = ................................................ [2]

(e) Calculate the potential difference V at the receiving end of the transmission lines.

V = ..........................11000v......................

[2] [Total: 10]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
5 Fig. 9.1 shows apparatus used to investigate electromagnetic effects around straight wires.
T3
thin flexible wire T1 thick rigid
vertical wire

large circular
hole in card

small circular
hole in card

T4
T2

Fig. 9.1

Fig. 9.2 is a view looking down on the apparatus shown in Fig. 9.1.

Fig. 9.2

(a) A battery is connected to T1 and T2 so that there is a current vertically down the thick
wire.

On Fig. 9.2, draw three magnetic field lines and indicate, with arrows, the direction of all
three. [2]

(b) Using a variable resistor, the p.d. between terminals T1 and T2 is gradually reduced.

State the effect, if any, that this will have on

(i) the strength of the magnetic

field, ............reduced.......................................................... [1]

(ii) the direction of the magnetic

field. ................downwards...................................................... [1]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
 (c) The battery is now connected to terminals T 3 and T4, as well as to terminals T 1 and T2, so
that there is a current down both wires. This causes the flexible wire to move.

(i) Explain why the flexible wire moves.

Due to the flexibility and the current across the wire it is attracted to the magnetic fields
and will move due to it [2]

(ii) State the direction of the movement of the flexible wire.

.....up and
down....................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) The battery is replaced by one that delivers a smaller current.

State the effect that this will have on the force acting on the flexible wire.

Less
movement .........................................................................................................................
.........

............................................................................................................................ [1]

[Total: 8]

PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com