Alternating current produced by the generator in a nuclear power plant is supplied to the primary coil of a transformer. Explain, with reference to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, how a current arises in the secondary coil.

A typical transformer consists of an iron core with two coils wound around it - the primary and the secondary. Any current-carrying wire produces a magnetic field around it, but because the primary coil carries an alternating current, it's going to produce a changing magnetic field. The alternating magnetic flux from the primary coil is going to penetrate the secondary coil.
Now, let's recall the Faraday's Law:
'The magnitude of an induced e.m.f is proportional to the rate of change of flux linkage'.
Since the flux is alternating, its rate of change cannot be zero or even constant - it has to be alternating as well. Therefore, a changing e.m.f is going to produce an AC in the secondary coil (provided it is a part of a closed circuit).

Answered by Jakub K. Physics tutor

6253 Views

See similar Physics IB tutors

Related Physics IB answers

All answers ▸

What are elastic and inelastic collisions? After a head on elastic collision of two balls of mass m1 and m2, deduce an equation relating the final and initial velocities of both balls.


A ball mass 2kg rests on a slope of angle 60 degrees. If it is stationary, calculate the coefficient of static friction


A ball in a room is thrown with a speed v = 15 m/s at an angle 45 degrees above the horizontal. If the ceiling is 4 m high, will the ball hit the ceiling? If so, what is the minimum angle at which the ball will not hit the ceiling? Neglect air resistance.


Define simple harmonic motion.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy