14.

14.4 The Transformer

The typical electrical outlet in a North American home is 120 V AC. Some out-
lets, used for large appliances, are 240 V AC. If manufacturers produce devices
that are required to run at some other voltage, it seems that they would have a
problem. However, we have already studied a device that can solve this problem
for us.
Our study of Faraday’s iron ring has shown us that when the primary circuit
switch is suddenly closed, a current will be momentarily produced in the sec-
ondary circuit. The same thing will occur when the switch in the primary circuit
is suddenly opened. The changing current in the primary circuit will produce a
varying magnetic field in the ring, which will pass through the secondary circuit
and produce a current in the secondary circuit according to Lenz’s law. When the
switch is closed and the current is constant, no induced current will be produced
in the secondary circuit since the inducing magnetic field is constant.
It is not necessary to turn the switch on and off to produce a current in the
secondary circuit. All we need is a varying magnetic field in the ring, which
means we need a varying or alternating current. The current produced by an AC
generator is perfect for this task. An alternating current periodically reverses transformer: device that consists of a
direction, providing a means for the current to be turned on and off without core of soft iron with two separate coils of
manually operating a switch. wire used to change the voltage

Investigation 14.4.1 INQUIRY SKILLS

Transformers (Teacher Demonstration) Questioning Recording
Hypothesizing Analyzing
Predicting Evaluating
Another name for Faraday’s iron ring is a transformer because it has been found Planning Communicating
that the electric potential difference induced in the secondary circuit can be Conducting
changed (or transformed) by changing the number of windings around the ring
in either of the circuits.

Electromagnetic Induction 523

 Question
How are the input and output voltages in a transformer related to the number of
windings on the primary and secondary coils?

Materials
lab transformer set (iron core and several coils with different number of turns)
variac (AC variable voltage power source)
two AC multi-range voltmeters
6 V or 12 V battery
DC voltmeter
nichrome wire or long finishing nail
water
hollow dish-shaped ring of metal with a wooden handle

Prediction
(a) Predict what will happen to the output voltage in the secondary coil when
the primary coil has
(i) more turns than the secondary coil
(ii) fewer turns than the secondary coil

Procedure
Laboratory transformers should 1. Set up the transformer as shown in Figure 1, using the coil with the fewest
not be handled by students. turns as the primary and the coil with the next fewest turns as the secondary.
Treat transformers with due
respect. Always disconnect the lab demonstration
power sources before changing transformer set
connections. variac
(variable AC
power supply)

Figure 1 AC multi-range
Setup for Investigation 14.4.1 voltmeters

Turn the variac off each time 2. Turn on the variac, and increase the voltage applied to the primary coil
before changing coils. from zero to a maximum in several steps. Note both the primary voltage
and the secondary voltage at each step.
3. With the primary voltage at a moderate value, substitute each of the
remaining coils for the secondary coil, noting the secondary voltage each time.
4. Repeat the entire procedure, starting with the coil with the most turns as
the primary.
5. Summarize your observations in tabular form using these headings:
N1 V1
N1 V1 N2 V2  
N2 V2

524 Chapter 14
 14.4

6. Connect the ends of the primary coil to the terminals of the battery, and
connect the DC voltmeter across the secondary coil. Note the reading on
the voltmeter. Bring a nail or a small compass near the iron core of the
transformer and determine whether the core is magnetized.
7. YOUR TEACHER WILL PERFORM THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
• Using the coil with the most turns as the primary, and the coil with the
fewest turns as the secondary, connect a piece of nichrome wire or a nail
across the terminals of the secondary coil.
• Connect the variac to the primary coil and increase it gradually to the
maximum, observing the wire or nail connected to the secondary coil.
• Remove the secondary coil and in its place use a hollow dish-shaped ring
of metal with a wooden handle. Fill the ring with water, adjust the variac
to maximum level, and, holding the ring by its wooden handle, observe
the water.

Analysis
(b) What conditions led to a secondary voltage that was greater than the pri-
mary voltage? less than the primary voltage?
(c) What relationship exists between the ratio of windings and the ratio of
voltages of the two coils? Express this relationship mathematically.
(d) What happened to the wire or the nail during the demonstration? Why?
What happened to the water? step-down transformer: a transformer
(e) During the investigation you may have noticed some humming and vibra- with fewer windings on the secondary coil,
tion. If you heard such sounds, what do you think caused them? resulting in decreased voltage
(f) What was the reading on the DC voltmeter connected across the secondary
coil when the battery was connected to the primary? Was the iron core
primary coil secondary coil
magnetized in that case? Explain why no potential difference is induced in
the secondary coil when the primary coil is connected to a DC source.

Evaluation 60 turns
(g) Evaluate your predictions. 20 turns
(h) Describe the sources of error in the investigation and evaluate their effect on 120 V
(AC) 40 V
the results. Describe one or two improvements to the experimental design. (AC)
soft iron core
Figure 2
Step-Up and Step-Down Transformers A step-down transformer
How does Faraday’s iron ring help the manufacturer who needs a different voltage
for a device? If the windings in the primary and secondary circuits are not the step-up transformer: a transformer
same, the voltage induced in the secondary circuit will be different from the with more windings on the secondary coil,
voltage of the primary circuit. If the electric potential difference in the primary resulting in increased voltage
circuit is 120 V, the primary circuit had 60 windings around the ring, and the sec-
ondary circuit has 20 windings around the ring, the secondary circuit will have a primary coil
potential of 40 V. The number of windings around the ring has decreased by a secondary coil
factor of three, so the electric potential difference has also decreased by a factor
of three. Since the electric potential difference has been decreased, the device is 60
called a step-down transformer (Figure 2). turns
240 turns
Similarly, if the primary coil is the same as above but the secondary coil is
changed so that it has 240 windings around the ring, the secondary potential 120 V
(AC) 480 V
difference will be 480 V. The number of windings has increased by a factor of
soft iron core (AC)
four, so the potential difference has also increased by a factor of four. Since the
electric potential difference has been increased, the device is called a step-up Figure 3
transformer (Figure 3). A step-up transformer

Electromagnetic Induction 525

 No charge flows from one circuit to the other through the ring. The change
in potential difference is due to the changing magnetic field in the ring of the
transformer and can be solved using the equation
secondary potential difference secondary windings
 = 
primary potential difference primary windings
V N
or s = s
Vp Np

where Vs is the electric potential difference induced in the secondary circuit

Vp is the electric potential difference applied to the primary circuit
Ns is the number of windings in the secondary circuit
Np is the number of windings in the primary circuit

To design a transformer that will lose as little energy as possible, the fol-
lowing steps are taken:
1. The coils are constructed so that they will have a small resistance. (Copper
is often used.)
2. A core is used that is easily magnetized and demagnetized and properly
shaped to transmit the magnetic field lines from the primary coil to the
secondary coil.
Transformer coils are usually made not from a solid piece of soft iron but
from many thin sheets of iron insulated from one another and attached together,
much like plywood. This has the effect of reducing power losses in the core due
eddy currents: induced currents that to the presence of eddy currents that flow in the iron.
form closed loops within a conductor

Try This
Activity
Demonstration of Eddy Currents
Using a copper tube and two similar cylindrical pieces of metal (one is a
strong magnet and the other is unmagnetized), drop both into the tube
one at a time and note any differences.
(a) Why does it take one of the objects longer to fall through the
tube than the other?

These steps can reduce power losses to a negligible level, so we can assume
that the transformer is 100% efficient, or ideal. For an ideal transformer,

power input (primary circuit) = power output (secondary circuit)

Pp = Ps
then Vp Ip = Vs Is since P = VI
Ip V
or  = s
Is Vp
where Ip is the current in the primary circuit
Is is the current in the secondary circuit

This equation brings up a very important point. First, the transformer may
appear to be giving something for nothing. It seems like the electric potential dif-
ference can be increased at no cost. This is not true. If the electric potential

526 Chapter 14
 14.4

difference increases by a factor of two, the electric current must decrease by a

factor of two, since the power remains constant. As you might expect, trans-
formers obey the law of conservation of energy.

Sample Problem
A door chime designed to operate at 8.0 V is connected to a 120-V power supply
through a transformer. In the secondary coil the number of windings is 100 and
the current is 1.8 A. Find
(a) the number of windings in the primary coil
(b) the current in the primary coil

Solution
(a) Vs = 8.0 V
Vp = 120 V
Ns = 100
Np = ?

N V
s = s , then
Np Vp
Np Vp
 = 
Ns Vs
Vp
 
Np =  (Ns)
Vs

 
120 V
Np =  (1.0 × 102)
8.0 V
Np = 1500

There are 1.5  103 windings in the primary coil.

(b) If the transformer is ideal, then

Is = 1.8 A
Ip = ?

Ip V
 = s
Is Vp
V
 
Ip = s (Is)
Vp

 
8.0 V
Ip =  (1.8 A)
120 V
Ip = 0.12 A

The current in the primary coil is 0.12 A.

What is being calculated here is actually the RMS electric current, since the
current in both the primary and secondary coils is an alternating current. Many
devices other than door chimes use transformers—televisions, some toys, high-
intensity lamps and fluorescent lights, radios, battery chargers, and stereos, to
name a few.

Electromagnetic Induction 527

 Practice
Understanding Concepts
Answers 1. How many moving mechanical components are there in a transformer?
3. (a) 1.2 × 102 V 2. Draw a sketch of a transformer, labelling the three main parts. State
4. (a) 0.32 A the function of each part, and show which laws of electromagnetism
(b) 48 V and electromagnetic induction govern its operation.
3. An electric doorbell uses a transformer to obtain 6.0 V. The primary
coil has 840 turns and the secondary coil has 42 turns.
(a) What is the primary potential difference?
(b) What type of transformer is this?
4. An ideal transformer has 120 primary turns and 300 secondary turns.
If the current in the primary coil is 0.80 A and the electric potential
difference in the secondary coil is 120 V, find
(a) the current in the secondary coil
(b) the electric potential difference across the primary coil
5. A step-up transformer could be called a step-down transformer if a
(a)
variable other than potential difference were considered. What is that
P different variable? Explain your answer.
S
55 V 42
840 V = ?
SUMMARY The Transformer
• A transformer is a device that can change the electric potential difference
(b) V=? P in a secondary circuit by varying the current in the primary circuit.
• The transformer equation states
12
secondary potential difference secondary windings V N
 =  , or s = s .
primary potential difference primary windings Vp Np

180 Section 14.4 Questions

Understanding Concepts
For the following questions, assume that all transformers are ideal.
1. A transformer has 60 primary turns and 300 secondary turns. It is
500 V S designed to supply a compressor motor requiring a current of
2.0 A at a potential difference of 5.5 × 102 V. What are the current
(c) 50 V S and potential differences in the primary coil?
2. A transformer that is used to supply power to a toy train is
plugged into a 1.2 × 102 V outlet and has various connections on
its secondary coil to provide potential differences of 16.0 V, 12.0
V, 8.0 V, and 6.0 V to the train. If the primary coil has 1320 turns,
how many turns must there be on the secondary coil at the posi-
N=?
tion of each of the various connections?
240 3. A mercury vapour lamp operates at 3.0 × 102 V and has a resis-
tance of 40.0 . A transformer supplies the energy required, from
a 1.2 × 102 V power line. Calculate
(a) the power used by the transformer
(b) the primary current
600 V (c) the ratio of primary turns to secondary turns in the transformer
P
4. For each of the transformers shown in Figure 4, state whether it
Figure 4 is a step-up or step-down transformer, and calculate the unknown
For question 4 quantity.

528 Chapter 14
 14.5

5. (a) A battery is connected to the primary circuit in a transformer.

Describe the current produced in the secondary circuit.
Explain your reasoning.
(b) Why will an AC current in the primary circuit produce an
induced current in the secondary circuit when a constant DC
current will not?
(c) A practical DC generator produces a relatively ripple-free
electric current. How effective would this current be if used to
induce a current in the secondary circuit of a transformer?
6. A step-up transformer is used to increase the potential difference
in a secondary circuit. What does it do to the current in the sec-
ondary circuit? Explain.

Making Connections
7. Sometimes a local electrical blackout occurs because a trans-
former burns out.
(a) Where do you think the energy comes from in an electric
transformer to cause its temperature to become high enough
to burn it out?
(b) Research to find out how efficient transformers are. Compare
that efficiency with that of the “ideal” transformer described
in this section.
(c) Transformers are cooled in a variety of ways, some of which
involve dangerous chemical substances. Find out through
research some of the common methods of cooling trans-
formers. Describe any controversial or dangerous methods
you discover.

14.5 Distribution of Electrical Energy

With either AC generators or DC generators a tremendous amount of electrical
power can be produced at the electric generating station. How can the electric
power be delivered to the consumers in a safe, efficient, and useful way? Which
of the two generators is better suited to the task? Both types of generators are
equally easy to design and operate. Why is the AC generator the only one used
for large-scale electrical energy supply?
Any type of generator needs an external force to turn the turbine. A hydro- turbine: machine in which the kinetic
electric generating station must be built near fast-flowing or falling water, which energy of a moving fluid is converted to
is often in remote areas. If fossil fuels or nuclear power is used, a large body of rotary mechanical power
water is usually needed for cooling purposes, and the station should ideally be
placed away from densely populated areas because of pollution. This means that
the electrical power is usually produced far from the places where it is needed.
This can be a problem, since some of the electrical energy is lost due to the resis-
tance of the long lines connecting the generating station to the urban area. Most
of the electrical energy lost is converted to heat in the transmission line. How can
these losses be minimized?
Since P = VI, it seems that we have only two variables that can be manipu-
lated. Two obvious choices are to transmit the electric power at a low electric
potential difference and a high current, or a high electric potential difference
and a low current. Examine the following sample problem to see which choice
is preferable.

Electromagnetic Induction 529

 Sample Problem
(a) Low electric potential difference and high current:
If 1.0 105 W of electric power is transmitted through a long cable with a
resistance of 1.0 , find the percentage of electric power lost for an electric
potential difference of 1.0 kV.
(b) High electric potential difference and low current:
If 1.0 105 W of electric power is transmitted through a long cable with a
resistance of 1.0 , find the percentage of electric power lost for an electric
potential difference of 1.0 105 V.

Solution
(a) V = 1.0 kV = 1.0 × 103 V
P = 1.0 × 105 W
R = 1.0 
I=?

P
I = 
V
1.0 × 105 W
= 
1.0 × 103 V
I = 1.0 × 10 2 A

This is a very large current.

The power lost in the cable to heat would be

P = I 2R
= (1.0 × 102 A)2 (1.0 )
P = 1.0 × 104 W

This is a loss of 10% of the original power in the transmission lines. A low
potential difference and a high current is not very efficient.

(b) P = 1.0 × 105 W

I=?

P
I = 
V
1.0 × 105 W
= 
1.0 × 105 V
I = 1.0 A

This is a much smaller current.

The power lost in the cable to heat would be

P = I 2R
= (1.0 A)2(1.0 )
P = 1.0 W

This is a loss of only 0.0010% of the original power. Therefore, having a high
potential difference and a low current is much more efficient.

530 Chapter 14
 14.5

120 V
500 kV 44 kV
AC 20 kV or 115 kV or 4 kV 240 V
230 kV 27.6 kV
120 V
60 Hz

generating district local substation pole home

station transformer transformer transformer
station station
In the Sample Problem, the equation P = VI is used to calculate the total Figure 1
current since the line is connected to an unknown resistance (all the light bulbs, Distributing electrical energy
televisions, refrigerators, and any other devices in the area). To determine how
much of the power is dissipated as heat by the line itself, we ignore all these
arc: light produced by air molecules when a
devices and use just the resistance of the line itself. Since the current through the current jumps a gap in an electric circuit
line is known, the equation P = I 2R is used.
To be efficient, electrical power must be transmitted at high potential differ-
ences. Such high potential differences can cause an arc; however, proper insulation (a)
of the wires can easily solve this since insulators do not conduct electricity.
Another precaution is to place the wires up high to prevent arcing to the ground.
The transmission of power is also more economical at low currents, since thinner,
less expensive wires can be used in the transmission cables.
Another problem is that most generators produce electric potential differ-
ences of about 10 kV. To be more efficient, the potential difference should be
much higher. Yet to be practical the consumer needs potential differences much
lower, at 120 V to 240 V. A device is needed to increase the electric potential dif-
ference and decrease the current for transmission, and then decrease the electric
potential difference and increase the current for use by the consumer. A trans-
former performs both of these functions very efficiently. Large networks of
transmission lines connected to transformers are used all over the world to
deliver electricity from generating stations to consumers (Figure 1).
In modern power distribution systems, electricity is generated at a potential
of up to 20 kV and is immediately stepped up to 230 kV, 500 kV, 765 kV, or even
more by transformers near the generating stations (Figure 2(a)). This very high-
voltage power is then sent (with relatively little loss) along transmission lines
whose rows of towers are a familiar sight in the countryside (Figure 2(b)).
Large district transformer stations are located along the transmission lines (b)
near cities, large towns, and industrial complexes. At these stations the power is
stepped down to 115 kV, and it is transmitted at that potential difference to local
transformer stations. The local transformer station in each small town or munic-
ipality further reduces the potential difference to either 44 kV or 27.6 kV. From
there, the power is distributed to transformer substations in each neighbourhood,
where it is further stepped down to about 4 kV. Wires carry this power along
residential streets to the last transformer in the chain, the familiar hydro-pole
transformer, which reduces the potential to 240 V. In some modern subdivisions
with underground wiring, pole transformers have been replaced by underground
transformers buried beneath the lawns of every fourth or fifth house.
Three wires lead from the pole transformer into each residence—one from Figure 2
each end of the secondary coil, and one from its centre. In this way, both 240-V (a) Transformers near a generating station
and 120-V potentials are made available for use in the home. (b) Power transmission lines

Electromagnetic Induction 531

 Practice
Answers
1. 6.4 × 10–5 % Understanding Concepts
2. (a) 2.0 × 102 A, 20 kW 1. An electric potential difference of 5.0 102 kV is used to distribute
(b) 2.0 A, 2.0 W 2.0  102 kW of electric power through a long cable with a resistance
of 0.80 . Find the percentage of electric power lost in the lines.
2. For each of the two transmission lines described below, determine
the current and the power loss in the line.
A
C (a) power = 2.0 × 102 kW, resistance = 0.50 ,
4.0 kV potential difference = 1.0 kV
D (b) power = 2.0 × 102 kW, resistance = 0.50 ,
240 V
150
B
120 V potential difference = 1.0 x 102 kV
3. Figure 3 shows the final transformer in a network that delivers elec-
trical energy to a home. Assume that there are 150 windings from C
Figure 3 to D. How many windings are there from A to B?
For question 3

Case Study: Magnetic Information Storage

Magnetic information storage is perhaps the most important element of com-
puter technology. Without magnetic storage, most computers would lose a large
(a) part of the information once the power is turned off, so a hard disk is vital to
the operation of the modern computer. Hard disks, or hard drives (Figure 4(a)),
are a computer’s long-term memory. A hard disk stores digital information in
a relatively permanent form and allows the computer quick access to that infor-
mation.
Hard disks were developed in the 1950s and have been steadily improving
and changing over time. While the first hard disks could store only a megabyte
or two of information, modern ones can store several gigabytes of computer files.
They are known as “hard” disks to distinguish them from the external “floppy”
disks. Floppy disks (Figure 4(b)) are made from plastic and are very thin, while
hard disks are typically composed of aluminum or glass polished like a mirror.

The Basics of Magnetic Information Storage

There are several advantages in using magnetic storage. It can be easily erased
and rewritten, which gives the medium tremendous flexibility. Also the data can
be stored for years and will usually last until it is outdated.
Each disk has a fixed amount of space for data storage on it. The informa-
(b) tion is stored on a thin film across the surface of the disk, which can be magnet-
ized. The head of the drive never actually touches the surface of the hard disk,
unlike a floppy drive. Modern heads can move to the edge of the disk and back
to the hub upwards of 50 times per second! This allows for tremendous data
transfer rates. The information on the hard disk can be accessed almost instantly,
which has obvious advantages. Modern hard disks spin at speeds approaching
300 km/h at the outer edge! The head inside the hard drive can write and read
information to and from the hard disk.

How the Computer Gets the Information

The computer receives and delivers data from and to the hard disk using two
principles of electromagnetism. First, by passing an electric current through a
coil a magnetic field is produced, and second, by applying a magnetic field to a
coil an electric current will begin to flow. The magnetic field on the hard drive
Figure 4 produces current as it spins. This electric current passes into the computer,
(a) A hard disk drive
(b) A floppy disk

532 Chapter 14
 14.5

hard disk
sector
platters
CPU

arm that holds

read/write heads platter

head electric current

magnetic field
Figure 5
A computer hard disk system
track

which interprets it as information. The reverse can also occur, when the com- Figure 6
Tracks are concentric circles, and sectors are
puter passes out an electric current, which is then turned into a magnetic field,
pie-shaped wedges on a track.
which is then stored on the hard disk as information (Figure 5).
The heads of a hard drive are small electromagnets that perform the conver-
sion of electrical current to magnetic fields and back, allowing them to both read
from and write to the hard disk. sound
The information on the hard disk is organized into bytes, which are in turn
collected into sectors and tracks (Figure 6). The bytes form files that form the
programs the computer can run. The head reads this information and passes it
recording
on to the central processing unit (CPU). The information comes in the form of
head amplifier
electric current, which is represented digitally as ones and zeros. This is the com-
puter’s language, also known as binary code.
gap magnetizable surface
Weaknesses of Magnetic Storage
For all its strengths, magnetic information storage also has some weaknesses. tape direction
polymeric
First, it is susceptible to outside magnetic fields. These may corrupt or erase the base
data stored on the hard disk. It is important to keep any magnetic storage device
wavelength
away from large magnetic fields. Second, the data are difficult to preserve over
time. The information on the disk may become corrupted. Also, it is possible for Figure 7
the disk to become damaged, thereby losing all stored information. It is because Audio or videotape system
of this that many people back up their information, either on a second magnetic
storage device, an optical one, or by producing a hard copy where possible.
sound
Other Uses for Magnetic Information Storage
Magnetic storage is used for many other purposes, such as video and audio tape
and the magnetic strip on credit cards. The principle, similar to that used in com-
puters, involves moving a tape past a magnetic head (Figure 7). The tape consists
playback
of a thin plastic base coated with an even thinner layer of magnetic iron oxide par- head
amplifier
ticles in a polymer binder. As the tape moves past the the gap in the recording
head, the field goes through the tape, aligning the dipoles in its magnetic oxide
coating. The tape becomes a magnetic copy of the current in the recording head. gap
When the current stops, so does the field, ending the magnetization.
If the tape is moved past the playback head, the moving magnetic field tape direction
induces an electric current in the coil that is an exact copy of the information Figure 8
stored on the tape (Figure 8). The electric signal may then be amplified and con- The playback head is identical to the
verted into useful information. recording head and is often the same head.

Electromagnetic Induction 533

 SUMMARY Distribution of Electrical Energy
• AC generators are used for large-scale electrical energy supply.
• Transformers allow the tremendous amount of electrical power produced
at electric generating stations to be transformed into safe and efficient
power for use by consumers.

Explore an
Issue
Computers in Today’s Society
DECISION MAKING SKILLS There are many pressing issues involving computers and how they are
used. In today’s society, the advancements made in computers are both
Define the Issue Analyze the Issue
astounding and continuously changing. Many of today’s computer com-
Identify Defend the
panies are among the richest companies in the world, and as a result
Alternatives Proposition
carry vast responsibilities. Information on almost anything is readily
Research Evaluate
available over the Internet. Many wonderful computer-related careers
are available, but the technology changes very quickly.

Take a Stand
Working in small groups, choose one of the issues listed below and dis-
cuss it as a group.

Understanding the Issues

1. For the consumer it is often frustrating that a recently purchased
computer needs to be upgraded or replaced sooner than the buyer
anticipated.
(a) List three benefits in having rapid advancements in computer
hardware.
(b) List three disadvantages of these rapid advancements.
2. Should any one computer company be allowed to have a monopoly
on any one essential part or program required for computers? List
some advantages and disadvantages for consumers and companies
for and against monopolies in the computer industry.
3. List some advantages and disadvantages to having so much infor-
mation available over the Internet.
4. What characteristics are required for a person interested in a long-
term career in computers? Would you consider a career in com-
puters to be an excellent choice? Why or why not?

Forming an Opinion
Use the Internet or any other resources to further investigate rapid
changes involving computers. Concentrate on one of the issues
above. Write a short report on the issue explaining the particular
aspect of the issue you are investigating. Provide any concrete
examples involved. Follow the links for Nelson Physics 11, 14.5.
GO TO www.science.nelson.com

534 Chapter 14
 14.5

Section 14.5 Questions

Understanding Concepts
1. The power distributed at 5.0  102 V on a set of transmission
lines is 5.0  102 kW, and the resistance of the lines is 1.0 .
Determine the following:
(a) the current in the lines
(b) the power loss if the potential difference is
(i) 5.0  102 V
(ii) 5.0  102 kV
(c) the energy loss per hour
2. Why is it an advantage to distribute electrical power at a high
potential difference and low current?
3. What is the process by which a computer gets data from a mag-
netic storage device?
4. (a) What are the differences between a hard disk and a floppy
disk?
(b) How is magnetic storage on a tape similar to storage on a
hard disk?
5. How reliable is magnetic information storage? In what ways is it
inferior to other forms of information storage? In what ways is it
superior?
6. Assume that each of the transformers in Figure 1 of this section
is 96% efficient. What percentage of the original power would be
left for the consumer? Why must transformers be as efficient as
possible?

Making Connections
7. List some advantages to having access to both 120 V and 240 V
in the home.
8. Theoretically, one transformer to step up the voltage for trans-
mission and one to step down the voltage for consumers are the
only transformers required. Why must there be so many trans-
formers in a large-scale distribution of electrical energy?
9. Give some economic and societal reasons for and against distrib-
uting electrical power at both a low current for efficiency and a
low potential difference (which would require no transformers).
10. Why is magnetic information storage important to the operation
of the modern computer?

Electromagnetic Induction 535