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).

JK
Answered by Jakub K. Physics tutor

8237 Views

See similar Physics IB tutors

Related Physics IB answers

All answers ▸

A pipe has one open and one closed end. Determine the ratio of the frequency of the first harmomic to that of the next harmonic.


For a body of mass m orbiting a body of mass M with radius of orbit r, what is the minimum velocity that m needs in order to escape M's gravitational pull and end up infinitely far away from M?


How do I do uncertainties properly?


How can I draw the light diagram in a convergent lens?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning