Cambridge IGCSE A*Physics Exercise + Notes

Mr. GabrieL
4.6.2 Ac and dc generator

Electricity Chapter 4
Cambridge IGCSE A*Physics Exercise + Notes
Mr. GabrieL
4.6.3 Transformers.
1. In Malaysia, most household electric sockets supply 240V.
However, most appliances only need much lower voltages than
240V.
2. Transformers are used to transform 240V to matching Volt of
our appliances.

HOW A TRANSFORMER WORKS

1. Transformers are basically made up of 2 main components.
1. SOFT-IRON CORE
2. COILS
2. Using the concept “cutting of magnetic flux”
1st Ac power supply is connected at the input terminals
2nd Ac current is constantly changing magnetic flux in the primary coil, inducing an
alternating magnetic field that cuts the secondary coil
3rd Alternating emf is induced in the secondary coil.

Re-written concept
An alternating current in primary coil produces a changing magnetic field that
induces an alternating emf in the secondary coil

Electricity Chapter 4
Cambridge IGCSE A*Physics Exercise + Notes
Mr. GabrieL
2 main types of transformer
Step-up transformer Step-down transformer

 Number of turn in primary coil is lower  Number of turn in primary coil is

than secondary coil
 Number of volts in primary coil is
lower than secondary coil
 Current in primary coil is higher than
secondary coil
 Power is the same
higher than secondary coil
 Number of volts in primary coil is
higher than secondary coil
 Current in primary coil is lower than
secondary coil
 Power is the same

Formula is given as

***ideal transformers have the same power

P= v i
V1i1 = v2i2

Electricity Chapter 4
Cambridge IGCSE A*Physics Exercise + Notes
Mr. GabrieL
Questions
1. A transformer with primary coil of 10 rounds has a volt reading of 300v, given that
secondary coil has a number of 250 rounds, find the volt reading on the secondary
coil. You are required to draw the diagram as well

2. Figure on the right shows a step up transformer, given that it

operates a 720v, 4800w heavy machinery from a 240v a.c
power supply. Find the
A) number of turns in secondary coil given that primary coil is
100 turns

B) the current in the secondary coil

c) the current in the primary coil.

3. A transformer is to be constructed to step a 240v mains supply to 8v. table below

gives the number of turns of 5 coils. Which pairs of coil can be used in the
transformer?

Coil Number of turns

P 20
Q 30
R 240
S 600
t 7200
4. POPULAR IGCSE QUESTION
State why high tension cables must use high voltage in their cable?

1. since p = vi , high volt = low current = low resistance = low heat energy lost = low
power reduced

Electricity Chapter 4
Cambridge IGCSE A*Physics Exercise + Notes
Mr. GabrieL

Electricity Chapter 4
Cambridge IGCSE A*Physics Exercise + Notes
Mr. GabrieL

Electricity Chapter 4
Cambridge IGCSE A*Physics Exercise + Notes
Mr. GabrieL

Electricity Chapter 4
Cambridge IGCSE A*Physics Exercise + Notes
Mr. GabrieL

Electricity Chapter 4