Alternating current and its uses

2 The diagram shows a generator producing an alternating voltage.

(a) Draw one straight line from each letter to its correct label.
(2)

letter label

slip ring

coil
P

axle

Q
brush

magnet

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 (b) The generator is co
The current in the lamp is alternating.
(i) Which of these is an alternating current?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)

current current

0 0
time time

A B

current current

0 0
time time

C D

(ii) The generator is turned faster.

Explain what happens to the lamp.
(2)

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(c) A larger generator produces a current of 2 A at a voltage of 12 V.

Calculate the electrical power generated.

State the unit.
(3)

power generated = . ................................................... unit = ....................................................

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 (d) Transformers are designed to use alternating current.

Describe what change happens when a step-up transformer is used.

(2)

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(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)

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 Distribution of electricity

(a) Scientists say that graph 1 shows an alternating current while graph 2 shows a
direct current.

current current

0 0
time time

graph 1 graph 2

The two graphs differ in several ways.

State the difference between the currents which makes one alternating and the
other direct.
(1)

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(b) A transformer is 100% efficient.

It has 200 turns on the primary coil and 3000 turns on the secondary coil.
The input voltage is 55 V.
(i) Show that the output voltage is about 800 V.
(3)

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 (ii) Calculate the current in the secondary coil when the current in the primary
coil is 0.50 A.
(2)

current in secondary coil = ...................................... A

*(c) The diagram shows how electricity produced at a power station is transmitted to
distant houses.

power transformer transformer

transmission lines houses
station R S

Transformers R and S are not 100% efficient.

By using transformers, energy losses in the transmission lines are reduced.

Explain how this reduction is achieved, even though some energy is wasted in the
transformers themselves.
(6)

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(Total for Question 6 = 12 marks)

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 Transformers
4 A small notebook computer has a power rating of 40 W.
The computer is connected to the mains supply through a step-down transformer.
The mains supply is a.c.
(a) (i) How much energy is supplied to the computer each second?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A 0.025 J
B 4.0 J
C 40 J
D 240 J

(ii) Sketch an alternating current on the axes shown.

(1)

current

0
time

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 (b) The step-down t
! 2400 turns on the primary coil
! 200 turns on the secondary coil
! a primary voltage of 230 V.
Calculate the voltage output of the secondary coil.
(3)

secondary voltage = .......................................... V

(c) (i) Explain how transformers are used to improve the efficiency of power
transmission in the National Grid.
(3)

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(ii) Explain why flying a kite near power lines could be a danger to the person
flying the kite.
(2)

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(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)

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(a) Figure 3 shows

Figure 3

Figure 4 gives information about the magnetic field of a solenoid.

part of magnetic field

description of the
magnetic field
inside the coil outside the coil

strong  
weak  
uniform  
non-uniform  
Figure 4

(i) Draw lines on Figure 5 to show the shape of the magnetic field inside the
solenoid.
Use information from Figure 4.
(1)
solenoid

Figure 5

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 (ii) Describe how a student can determine the shape of the magnetic field around
the solenoid.
(2)

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(b) A student investigates the magnetic properties of three rods. Each rod is made of
one of the following materials:
● soft iron
● steel
● wood
The student places each rod in a solenoid that is connected to a direct current
power supply.
The power supply is switched on for a short time.
The student tests the magnetic strength of each rod by seeing how many paper
clips it can pick up as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6

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 The student’s results are shown in Figure 7.

number of paper clips picked up by rod

before rod when there 1 minute after 10 minutes

rod is placed in is current in current is after current is
solenoid solenoid switched off switched off

A 0 0 0 0

B 0 6 1 0

C 0 8 7 7

Figure 7

Complete the table below to show which material (soft iron, steel or wood) each
rod is made from, with the reason why.
Part of the table has been done for you.
Use information from Figure 7.
(3)

rod material reason

It is not magnetic because it does not pick up

A
paper clips whether there is a current or not.

(Total for Question 2 = 6 marks)

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