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Transformer Questions and Calculations

The document contains a series of questions related to transformers and electromagnetism, including their construction, operation, and calculations involving voltage, current, and turns ratio. It also discusses the use of transformers in the National Grid and the principles behind step-up and step-down transformers. Additionally, it includes practical investigation methods and data analysis related to transformer efficiency and performance.

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avni.roy
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24 views13 pages

Transformer Questions and Calculations

The document contains a series of questions related to transformers and electromagnetism, including their construction, operation, and calculations involving voltage, current, and turns ratio. It also discusses the use of transformers in the National Grid and the principles behind step-up and step-down transformers. Additionally, it includes practical investigation methods and data analysis related to transformer efficiency and performance.

Uploaded by

avni.roy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

TRANSFORMERS QUESTIONS

1. This question is about electromagnetism.


(a) Diagram 1 shows the construction of an electromagnet.

(i) Name a suitable metal for the core.


(1)
.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) State what must be done to the coil of wire to produce a magnetic field.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(b) Electromagnets are used in transformers to change the size of a voltage.
Diagram 2 shows the construction of a simple transformer.

(i) State the formula linking the input (primary) voltage, output (secondary) voltage and the
turns ratio for a transformer.
(1)
(ii) The input voltage to the transformer is 115 V.
Show that the output voltage is approximately 20 V.
(3)

(iii) The input current to the transformer is 1.2 A.


Calculate the output current.
Assume that the transformer is 100% efficient.
(3)

output current = ........................................................... A


(iv) State two factors that would increase the output current of the transformer.
(2)
1 ..........................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
2 ..........................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 11 marks)

2. A student investigates a transformer.


This is the student's method.

 use a primary coil with 10 turns


 connect the primary coil to a constant maximum input voltage
 measure the output voltage across the secondary coil
 repeat using an increasing number of turns on the primary coil
The table shows the student's results.
(a) (i) Plot a graph of the student's results on the grid.
(1)
(ii) Draw a curve of best fit.
(1)
(iii) Describe the relationship between the output voltage and the number of turns on the
primary coil.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(b) (i) State the formula linking input and output voltages and the turns ratio for the transformer.
(1)

(ii) The input voltage of the transformer is 6.8 V.


Calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil.
(2)

number of turns = ...........................................................

(Total for question = 7 marks)


3. A student investigates transformers.
(a) The diagram shows a typical transformer.

State the name given to this type of transformer.


(1)
.............................................................................................................................................
(b) The student investigates the effect of changing the number of turns in the secondary coil.
This is his method.

 apply a constant maximum voltage to a primary coil with 1200 turns


 use a secondary coil with 100 turns
 measure the output voltage of the transformer
 replace the secondary coil with one that has 200 turns
 measure the output voltage again
The student repeats this method using different numbers of turns in the secondary coil.
(i) Suggest how the student could improve the reliability of his investigation.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) These are the student's results.

Draw a table of these results.


(3)
(iii) Suggest how the student could improve the precision of his voltage measurement.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(c) The student plots this graph to show the results of his investigation.

(i) The student plots one of his results incorrectly.


Draw a circle around the incorrectly plotted result on the graph.
(1)
(ii) Draw the line of best fit.
(1)
(iii) Describe the relationship shown by the graph.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(d) The primary coil has 1200 turns.
Using the student's data, calculate the primary voltage used in his investigation.
(4)

primary voltage = ........................................................... V


(Total for question = 14 marks)
4. The diagram shows a step-down transformer.

(a) Explain the operation of a step-down transformer.


(4)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
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.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(b) (i) State the formula linking input voltage, output voltage and the turns ratio of a transformer.
(1)

(ii) Calculate the output voltage for the transformer.


(3)

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

(Total for question = 8 marks)


5. The diagram shows a step-down transformer.

(a) The input power to the transformer is 16 W.


The transformer is used for 2.5 hours.
Calculate the energy transferred to the transformer during this time.
(3)

energy transferred = ........................................................... J


(b) Explain how a transformer works.
In your answer, include reasons for using

 two coils
 the iron core
 an a.c. power supply
(6)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(c) State how the primary coil of the transformer can be changed to increase the output voltage.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 10 marks)


6. The National Grid is used in the United Kingdom for the large-scale transmission of electricity.
The photograph shows solar panels connected to the National Grid.

(a) Solar panels provide direct current to a device that outputs an alternating current so that the
energy from the solar panels can be supplied to the National Grid.
(i) Explain why a step-up transformer is used to supply the National Grid.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) This is the label on the step-up transformer.

State the formula linking input voltage, output voltage and turns ratio for a transformer.
(1)

(iii) Calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil of the step-up transformer.
(3)

number of turns = ...........................................................


(b) Solar panels produce constant direct current (d.c.).
Explain why a transformer will not work when connected to constant direct current.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 9 marks)


7. The diagram shows part of the National Grid.

(a) There is a step-up transformer at the power station end of a transmission line and a step-down
transformer at a distant town.
Explain why step-up transformers and step-down transformers are used in this way.
(4)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
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(b) (i) State the formula linking the input voltage, the output voltage and the turns ratio for a
transformer.
(1)

(ii) The primary coil on a step-up transformer has 3300 turns.


Calculate the number of turns required on the transformer's secondary coil to step up the
voltage from 15 kV to 340 kV.
(3)

number of turns = ...........................................................


(c) Transformers in the National Grid have efficiencies less than 100%.
(i) Suggest which energy store of the transformer increases as a result of the efficiency being
less than 100%.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) The iron core of a transformer is an electrical conductor.
When the transformer is in use, the primary coil causes a changing magnetic field in the iron
core. This causes a small current to be induced in the core.
Explain how a current is induced in the core of the transformer.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 12 marks)


8. A transformer is used to charge a mobile phone.
The diagram shows a label on the transformer.

(a) Explain how the information in the label shows that the transformer is a step-down transformer.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(b) Show that the transformer is approximately 100% efficient.
(3)

(c) (i) State the formula linking input voltage, output voltage and turns ratio for a transformer.
(1)

(ii) The primary coil has 1500 turns.


Calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil.
(3)

turns on secondary coil = ...........................................................

(Total for question = 9 marks)

Common questions

Powered by AI

Power losses in transformers during high voltage transmission are primarily due to resistive heating (I²R losses) and can be minimized by ensuring transformers operate at optimal efficiency. This involves using materials with high electrical conductivity for windings, employing cores with low hysteresis loss, and ensuring good maintenance practices. Energy policies that focus on improving infrastructure, such as incorporating advanced transformer technologies and promoting regular performance audits, further minimize losses, thereby enhancing overall grid efficiency and contributing to energy sustainability.

The formula describing the relationship is Vp/Vs = Np/Ns, where Vp is the primary voltage, Vs is the secondary voltage, Np is the number of turns in the primary coil, and Ns is the number of turns in the secondary coil. This formula is applied to determine voltage changes between coils. By knowing any three of the variables, the fourth can be calculated to understand how the transformer steps up or steps down the voltage as required.

Transformers rely on the principle of electromagnetic induction, which requires a changing magnetic field to induce voltage in the secondary coil. Direct current (DC) provides a constant magnetic field and does not change over time, whereas alternating current (AC) periodically reverses direction and creates a varying magnetic field. Consequently, with DC, no voltage is induced in the secondary coil, rendering the transformer non-operational.

A step-up transformer is crucial in the National Grid for increasing the voltage of electricity generated at power stations before it is transmitted over long distances. This voltage increase is vital because it reduces the energy lost as heat in the transmission lines, thus improving efficiency. According to the principle of conservation of energy, the higher the voltage, the lower the current for the same power level, which decreases I²R losses (heat losses due to current) in the transmission. The reduced current also allows for thinner wires, which are cheaper and lighter to install.

Step-down transformers are crucial at the consumer level because they reduce high transmission voltages to safer, usable levels for household appliances and electronic devices, which typically operate at lower voltages. This conversion is necessary for safety (reducing the risk of electrical shock and fire) and compatibility with residential and commercial electrical devices. Additionally, consistent voltage levels are maintained, improving device performance and longevity.

Transformer efficiency is paramount in large-scale electricity distribution, such as the National Grid, because even minor inefficiencies can result in significant energy losses over vast distances. High-efficiency transformers lower operational costs and reduce energy wastage, making the entire power distribution process more sustainable and economically viable. Improved efficiency directly correlates with lower greenhouse gas emissions from reduced fossil fuel consumption at power plants.

The material of a transformer's core significantly influences its efficiency and performance. An ideal core material has high magnetic permeability, which enhances the transformer's ability to concentrate magnetic flux and efficiently transfer energy between the coils. Iron is commonly used due to its magnetic properties and ability to limit energy losses related to hysteresis and eddy currents, the latter being minimized further by laminating the core. These features reduce the energy wasted as heat, thus improving the transformer's efficiency.

Non-ideal energy efficiency in transformers results in power losses due to hysteresis and eddy currents within the core, as well as resistive losses in the coils. These inefficiencies primarily affect the core and the coil windings, leading to heat generation and potential overheating. To mitigate these losses, transformers use laminated iron cores to reduce eddy currents and materials with low hysteresis loss properties, such as silicon steel.

The number of turns on the primary and secondary coils determines the transformer's turns ratio, which directly influences the output voltage. According to the transformer formula, the ratio of the output voltage to the input voltage is equal to the ratio of the number of turns on the secondary coil to the number of turns on the primary coil. Therefore, increasing the number of turns on the secondary coil relative to the primary coil increases the output voltage, and vice versa.

To ensure reliability and precision in voltage measurements during transformer investigations, multiple trials should be conducted, and averaged results should be used to mitigate measurement errors or anomalies. Additionally, using high-precision voltmeters and ensuring that connections are secure and unvarying during measurements will enhance the precision. It's also important to calibrate measuring equipment regularly to prevent systematic errors.

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