Chapter 21

Electromagnetic
Induction

Physics Matters for

GCE ‘O’ Level

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 ERRATA
Amendment to Textbook (Pg 391)

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 Activate Prior Knowledge
1. The magnetic field strength of a solenoid can be increased by

A placing a copper rod in the solenoid.

B decreasing the resistance of the solenoid.
C decreasing the number of turns on the solenoid.
D decreasing the potential difference between the ends of the solenoid.

2. Two parallel wires carrying current in the same direction will repel each other.

A True
B False

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 Chapter 21 Electromagnetic Induction
• 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields Related and How Do
They Interact?
• 21.2 When Will Movement Cause a Current to be Produced?
• 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Alternating Form?

21.1 Learning Outcomes

• Deduce from Faraday’s experiments on electromagnetic induction or other
appropriate experiments:
(i) that a changing magnetic field can induce an e.m.f. in a circuit;
(ii) that the direction of the induced e.m.f. opposes the change producing it; and
(iii) the factors affecting the magnitude of the induced e.m.f..

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 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields Related
and How Do They Interact?
In the previous chapter, we learnt that
emf + magnetic field  turning effect

Is it possible to reverse this process?

turning effect + magnetic field  emf ?

If so, can we obtain electricity from magnetism?

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 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields Textbook
Page 380
Related and How Do They Interact?
• Following Oersted’s experimental demonstration
that a current produces a magnetic field in 1820,
Michael Faraday discovered that when he moved
a a magnet in and out of a coil, it induced a
deflection on the galvanometer connected to the
coil as shown in Figure 21.2.
• He concluded that a changing magnetic field
produces an induced current.
• This effect is known as electromagnetic
induction. Michael Faraday
(1791 –1867)
• Electromagnetic induction is the process
Self-taught
through which an induced e.m.f. is produced in a English scientist.
conductor due to a changing magnetic field. President of the
Royal Society.
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 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields Related
and How Do They Interact?
Phet simulation
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/faradays-law/latest/faradays-law_en.html

7 ©️2023 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd

 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields Textbook
Page 382
Related and How Do They Interact?
The two laws of electromagnetic induction are as follows.
• Faraday’s Law of electromagnetic induction states that the magnitude
of the induced e.m.f. in a circuit is directly proportional to the rate of
change of magnetic flux in the circuit. Magnetic flux is the magnetic
field in a given area.
• Lenz’s Law states that the direction of the induced e.m.f., and hence the
induced current in a closed circuit, is always such that its magnetic effect
opposes the motion or change producing it.

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 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields
Related and How Do They Interact?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hajIIGHPeuU

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 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields Textbook
Page 382
Related and How Do They Interact?
• According to Faraday’s law, an unchanging magnetic field will not induce
any current. Hence, the galvanometer does not deflect when the magnet is
inside the coil.
• This also explains why a deflection is observed whenever the magnet is
moved, regardless of the direction of movement.
• It also states that the faster the magnet is moved in and out of the solenoid,
the greater the induced e.m.f.

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 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields Textbook
Page 383
Related and How Do They Interact?
• Lenz’s law is a consequence of the law of conservation of energy.
• If the magnetic field associated with the current moves in the same direction
as the change in magnetic field that created it, these two magnetic fields
would combine to create a net magnetic field that would induce a current with
twice the magnitude. Energy would have been created.
• This would violate the law of conservation of energy. Therefore, a small
amount of work is done when the magnet is pushed into or pulled out of the
coil.  N pole is induced
which slows down
S  Not possible for S pole magnet. Hence KE of
to be induced, as this will N magnet is transferred
cause the magnet to speed electrically to kinetic
up which violates store of electrons in coil,
conservation of energy thus ensuring energy
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conservation.
 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields Textbook
Page 383
Related and How Do They Interact?
The magnitude of the induced e.m.f increases if:
• the speed of the relative motion between the coil and the magnet is
increased;
• the number of turns of the coil is increased; or
• the strength of the magnet is increased.

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 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields Related Textbook
Page 383
and How Do They Interact?
• Video on a magnet falling through a copper pipe:

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 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields Textbook
Page 383
Related and How Do They Interact?

• When a magnet is dropped through a thick copper

tube, a current is induced in the copper tube
and a magnetic field is generated by the S
induced current.
• This induced current produces a magnetic field N
that opposes the direction of the falling
magnet, causing it to slow down. S

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15 ©️2023 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd
 Refer to
Lenz’s Law Deflection of Practice notes
galvanometer points page 1
in the direction of the
current

Observation:
Pointer deflects to the left when the S-pole
of the magnet moves into the coil (Figure 1).
Figure 1
Pointer deflects to the right when the S-
pole of the magnet moves out of the coil
(Figure 2).

Figure 2

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 Refer to
Lenz’s Law Deflection of
galvanometer points Practice notes
in the direction of the page 1
current

Conclusion:
The induced e.m.f. created a S-pole on the
right hand side of the solenoid, which opposes
/ repels the S-pole of the magnet that is
Figure 1 moving into the coil (Figure 1).

The induced e.m.f. created a N- pole on the

right hand side of the solenoid, which opposes
/ attracts the S-pole of the magnet that is
Figure 2 moving out the coil (Figure 2).

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 Refer to
Lenz’s Law Deflection of
galvanometer points Practice notes
in the direction of the page 1
current

Observation:
Pointer deflects to the right when the
N-pole of the magnet moves into the
Figure 3
coil (Figure 3).

Pointer deflects to the left when the N-

pole of the magnet moves out of the
Figure 4 coil (Figure 4).

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 Deflection of Refer to
Lenz’s Law galvanometer points Practice notes
in the direction of the page 1
current

Conclusion:
The induced e.m.f. created a N-pole on the
right hand side of the solenoid, which
opposes /repels the N-pole of the magnet
Figure 3
that is moving into the coil (Figure 3).
The induced e.m.f. created a S-pole on the
right hand side of the solenoid, which
opposes /attracts the N-pole of the magnet
Figure 4 that is moving out the coil (Figure 4).

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 Video: EMI simulation

20
20
 Video: Flying Ring

a. Why does the ring

fly upwards?
b. Is current flowing
within the ring?
c. What does it tell
you about the
direction of
induced current?

21
 Let’s Practise 21.1
Fig. 21.9 shows a bar magnet that is suspended by a spring. The
spring is set into oscillation.
1. How would you increase the magnitude of the induced e.m.f. in
Fig. 21.9?
2. If a galvanometer is connected in series with the solenoid,
explain what would be observed.
Solution
1. The magnitude of the induced e.m.f. can be increased by using a stronger magnet
or increasing the number of turns of the solenoid. (A less obvious answer is to use
another spring with a large spring constant so that it oscillates faster and by
Faraday’s law, would increase the magnitude of induced e.m.f.)
2. The galvanometer will deflect in one direction as the magnet move downwards and
deflect in the opposite direction as the magnet moves upwards.

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 Refer to
Practice 1 Practice notes
page 2

A north pole of a magnet is moved towards a solenoid as shown.

The needle of the galvanometer moves towards A.

1) Which pole will be formed at the end of the solenoid nearer to

the magnet? North pole
2) Show the direction of current flow in the wire. Upwards (RHGR)

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 Refer to
Practice 1 Practice notes
page 2

3) The magnet stops moving. What will the reading on the galvanometer
be? Zero
4) The magnet is pulled away from the solenoid. Which direction will the
needle point in? B
5) State three ways the needle could be made to move by a greater
amount.
Magnet move faster/ More number of turns of solenoid / Stronger magnet
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 Refer to
Practice 1 Practice notes
page 2

6) Explain the effect on the induced electromotive force when a

soft iron core was inserted into the coil?
The induced electromotive force would be greater as the soft iron
concentrates more magnetic field lines within the coil.

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 Refer to
Practice 2 Practice notes
page 2 & 3

A B

Describe and explain what happens to the galvanometer reading when

switch S is
(a) first closed;
(b) left closed for a few seconds;
(c) being opened again.

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 Refer to
Practice 2 Practice notes
page 3

A B

Describe and explain what happens to the galvanometer reading when

switch S is
(a) first closed;
The galvanometer needle deflects to the right (in the direction of current).
When switch S is closed, solenoid A becomes electromagnet and its
magnetic flux increases from zero to maximum, producing an opposing
magnetic effect in solenoid B. Thus, an e.m.f. is induced in solenoid B.
27 ©️2023 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd
 Refer to
Practice 2 Practice notes
page 3

A B

Describe and explain what happens to the galvanometer reading when

switch S is
(b) left closed for a few seconds;
The galvanometer needle returns to the centre (zero) position. There is
no rate of change of magnetic flux linking the solenoid B. Therefore, the
induced e.m.f. decreases to zero.

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 Refer to
Practice 2 Practice notes
page 3

A B

Describe and explain what happens to the galvanometer reading when

switch S is
(c) being opened again.
The galvanometer needle deflects in the opposite direction. When switch S
is now opened, the magnetic flux linking solenoid B decreases from a
maximum to zero. Hence, an induced e.m.f. is being produced, but in the
opposite direction.
29 ©️2023 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd
 Summary of Lesson 21.1A
• Electromagnetic induction is the process through which an induced e.m.f. is produced
in a conductor due to a changing magnetic field.
• Faraday’s Law of electromagnetic induction states that the magnitude of the induced
e.m.f. in a circuit is directly proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux in the
circuit. Magnetic flux is the magnetic field in a given area.
• Lenz’s Law states that the direction of the induced e.m.f., and hence the induced
current in a closed circuit, is always such that its magnetic effect opposes the motion
or change producing it.
• The magnitude of the induced e.m.f increases if:
 the speed of the relative motion between the coil and the magnet is increased;
 the number of turns of the coil is increased; or
 the strength of the magnet is increased.

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 Do Physics Theory
Workbook WS 21A
Q 3 & 4.

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 Chapter 21 Electromagnetic Induction
• 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields Related and How Do They
Interact?
• 21.2 When Will Movement Cause a Current to be Produced?
• 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Alternating Form?

21.2 Learning Outcomes

• Describe a simple a.c. generator (rotating coil or rotating magnet) and the use of
slip rings (where needed).
• Sketch a graph of voltage output against time for a simple a.c. generator.

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 21.2 When Will Movement Cause a Current to be Textbook
Page 384
Produced?
• Recall from Section 21.1 that a moving
magnet induces an e.m.f. or a current in a
nearby conductor.
• Likewise, a moving conductor in the presence
of a magnetic field will also produce an e.m.f.
or a current in the conductor. This is referred
to as the generator effect.
• Just as in the motor effect, there is a
relationship between the direction of the
applied force, the magnetic field and the
current.
• This relationship is given by Fleming’s right-
hand rule as shown in Figure 21.10.

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 21.2 When Will Movement Cause a Current to be Textbook
Page 384
Produced?
• The direction of conventional current is determined
using Fleming’s right-hand rule.
• First, the right hand is held out with the
forefinger, second finger and thumb perpendicular
to each other.
• Next, the thumb is pointed in the direction of
motion of the conductor, and forefinger in the
direction of the magnetic field, from north to
south.
• The direction of conventional current is given by
the direction the second finger is pointing to.
• Do not be confused with Fleming’s left-hand rule
which is used for electric motors, with Fleming’s
right-hand rule which is used for generators.
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 21.2 When Will Movement Cause a Current to be Textbook
Page 385
Produced?
• Consider the case of a rectangular coil that is mounted on an axle rotating
between two permanent magnets in Figure 21.11.

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 21.2 When Will Movement Cause a Current to be Textbook
Page 385
Produced?
• Due to the rotation, a continuous flow of current is induced in the rectangular coil.
• The direction of the current flow is given by Fleming’s right-hand rule and is in
the direction of A to D.
• As the coil flips after half a revolution, the induced current changes direction and
is now flowing from D to A.
• Similarly, the current is initially flowing from C to B. After half a revolution, the
current flows from B to C.
• The current alternates and is known as an alternating current.
• An alternating current is produced by an alternating induced e.m.f..

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 Video: Motors and Generators

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 21.2 When Will Movement Cause a Current to be Textbook
Page 385
Produced?
• An important difference between the d.c. motor and the a.c. generator is the use of slip
rings in an a.c. generator.
• Slip rings ensure that the ends of the rotating rectangular coil do not get twisted
together as the rectangular coil rotates.
• Slip rings also provide the electric contact with the brushes so that electric current can
flow continuously in the a.c. generator.
• As the coil rotates through different positions, the e.m.f. goes through a maximum to
zero to minimum transition as shown in Figure 21.12.
• The amount of e.m.f. induced also depends on the rate at which the coil cuts the
magnetic field lines.

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 21.2 When Will Movement Cause a Current to be Textbook
Page 386
Produced?

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 21.2 When Will Movement Cause a Current to be Textbook
Page 386
Produced?
• From Figure 21.12, we can see that if the coil is rotated through one complete
revolution, the induced e.m.f. also moves through one complete cycle of a sinusoidal
wave form.
• The time it takes to complete one cycle is the periodic time T.
• The number of revolutions the coil makes in one second is its frequency f.

Click here for a simulation on Faraday’s Law of induction.

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 21.2 When Will Movement Cause a Current to be Refer to
Practice notes
Produced? page 5
• If we double the number of turns of the coil without changing the
frequency of rotation of the coil, the output voltage V will be
doubled.

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 21.2 When Will Movement Cause a Current to be Refer to
Practice notes
Produced? page 5
• If we double the frequency of rotation of the coil without changing
the number of turns on the coil, the maximum output voltage also
doubles. (Note: Doubling the frequency f means halving the period
T)

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 AC Generator

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 Worked Example 21A

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 Worked Example 21A

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 Let’s Practise 21.2
1. A small a.c. generator produces a voltage of 40 mV. If the frequency of
revolution is 5.0 Hz, sketch a graph of voltage output against time. Assume that
the coil was initially in a horizontal position.
2. Sketch on the same graph in (1), the voltage output against time for the same
a.c. generator if the frequency is halved.
Induced e.m.f /mV
5.0 Hz 2.5 Hz
40

20
0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 Time /s
-20
-40

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 Refer to
Practice 3 Practice notes
page 5

The diagram shows an a.c. generator with a stationary coil and a rotating
permanent magnet.
iron
(a) Explain how it works.

Solution
N  S
(a) As the magnet rotates, the magnetic
flux linking the coils change and results
in an induced e.m.f. being set up across
the ends of the wire.
wire wire

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 Refer to
Practice 3 Practice notes
page 6

The diagram shows an a.c. generator with a stationary coil and a rotating
permanent magnet.
(b) The design is modified as shown. Explain why this is an improved
design. iron

Solution

(b) As the magnet rotates, its poles move away from

the coil it is facing and the induced e.m.f. will N  S
decrease.
In this design, more coils have been introduced.
Therefore, as the induced e.m.f in one coil decreases,
an e.m.f. will be induced in the adjacent coil. In this
wire wire
manner, the output e.m.f. will be more consistent.

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 Go through Physics
Theory Workbook WS
21B Q 1 & 2.

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 Chapter 21 Electromagnetic Induction
• 21.1 How Are Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields Related and How Do They
Interact?
• 21.2 When Will Movement Cause a Current to be Produced?
• 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Alternating Form?

21.3 Learning Outcomes

• Describe the structure and principle of operation of a simple iron-cored transformer as
used for voltage transformations.
• Recall and apply the equations = and VpIp= VsIs to new situations or to solve related
problems.
• Describe the energy loss in cables and deduce the advantages of high voltage
transmission.

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 388
Alternating Form?
• Faraday also created the first ever electric transformer.
• Figure 21.15 shows a schematic diagram of Faraday’s set-up.
• This experiment is known as Faraday’s induction ring experiment.

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 388
Alternating Form?

• A compass is placed on top of wire PQ.

• If the needle of the compass deflects, it means that there is a current flowing in
PQ since a current generates a magnetic field.
• Faraday observed that when the switch was closed, the needle of the compass
deflected momentarily in one direction and returned to its resting position.
• When the switch was opened, the needle of the compass deflected momentarily
again in the opposite direction and returned to its resting position.
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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 388
Alternating Form?
• The closing and opening of the switch cause the magnetic field in the ring to
change.
• The strength of magnetic field increases as current flows into coil A and then
decreases as current is reduced to zero.
• These changes in magnetic field induce a current flowing in coil B and cause the
needle of the compass to deflect.
• When the switch is closed, the induced current in coil B generates a magnetic field
that opposes the increase in current in coil A, as described by Lenz’s law.
• When the switch is opened, the. induced current in coil B generates a magnetic
field that opposes the decrease in current in coil A
• Hence, the needle of the compass deflects in different directions.

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 389
Alternating Form?

A B

Do you observe any similarities in the above 3 setups?

• A transformer is a device that can change a high alternating voltage to a low
alternating voltage, or vice versa.
• For example, electricity supply in Singapore is transmitted at 400 kV. The voltage is
stepped down through a series of transformers and eventually reaches the homes at
230 V.

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 389
Alternating Form?
• Figure 21.16 shows the basic
structure of a transformer.
• A transformer is made of two
coils of wire called the
primary coil and secondary
coil.
• The primary coil is
connected to an a.c. input
and the secondary coil is
connected to a load
(output).
• These coils are wound
around a laminated soft
iron core.
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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 389
Alternating Form?
• The laminated soft iron core reduces the transfer of energy to the internal
(thermal) store by eddy currents, which are local induced electric currents that
flow in loops.
• Lamination cuts off the path taken by an eddy current, keeping these induced
currents small. As a result, the unwanted energy transfer is low.
• Without lamination, large eddy currents are produced and the transfer of
energy to the internal store would be larger than with lamination.

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 389
Alternating Form?
• Soft iron is used because it is easily magnetised and demagnetised.
• If a hard magnetic material is used, the magnetic field lines may not change as they
tend to form permanent magnets.
• The soft iron core also tends to concentrate the magnetic field lines within itself,
and this improves the link between the primary and secondary coils.
• The changing magnetic field lines in the primary coil is linked to the secondary
coil through the soft iron core.
• This changing magnetic flux induces a voltage and current on the secondary coil.
As a result, energy is transferred from the primary coil to the secondary coil.

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 390
Alternating Form?
• The voltages of the primary and secondary coils are related by:
= where Vs = secondary (output) voltage (V)
Vp = primary (input) voltage (V)
turns
ratio Ns = number of turns in secondary coil
Np = number of turns in primary coil

• For a step-up transformer, the secondary (output) voltage will be greater than the
primary (input) voltage (as Ns > Np).
• Conversely, for a step-down transformer, the secondary (output) voltage will be
smaller than the primary (input) voltage (as Np > Ns).

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 Worked Example 21B

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 Refer to
Practice 4 Practice notes
page 7

A transformer has 500 turns in the primary coil and 250 turns in the secondary coil.
The primary coil is connected to an input of 240 V.
(a)Is this a step-up or step-down transformer? What is the turns ratio?
(b)Calculate the output voltage.

Solution
(a) As NP = 500 > NS = 250, it is a step-down transformer.
Ns/Np = 250 / 500 = ½ . The turns ratio is 1 : 2. or 0.50
NS
(b) VS = VP × N
P

= 240 V × ½
= 120 V
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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Alternating Form?
Video on step-up and step-down transformers:

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Alternating Form?

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 390
Alternating Form?
• In a transformer, the laws of conservation of energy always applies.
• The rate of energy transferred, or power transferred, from the primary side to the
secondary side is governed by the following relationship:
VpIp= VsIs where Ip = primary (input) current (A)
Is = secondary (output) current (A)
• The above relationship holds if and only if there are no energy losses in the system
which means all the energy that is applied to the primary coil are transferred to
the secondary coil.
• We call such a transformer an ideal transformer.

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 390
Alternating Form?

• In reality, transformers are not ideal.

• As a result, the useful output power will be less than the input power.
• The term efficiency η is defined as a ratio of the output power over the input power:
η = × 100%

• In the case where the transformer is ideal, η = 1 or 100%.

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 Textbook
21.3 Why Is Current Always Page 391
Generated in Alternating
Form?
Question:
Although electric motors can
generate electricity, why are
only a.c. generators used in
power stations?

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 391
Alternating Form?
• One of the main challenges in the transmission and distribution of electricity from
power stations to households is the loss of power due to ohmic heating (P = I2R) in
the cables.
• If very large currents are transmitted, then losses can be very high due to the
squaring effect of current in the power loss equation.
• For instance, if the current transmitted is 20 kA and the resistance in the cable is 0.01 Ω.
Then, even at such a low resistance, the power loss would be 4 MW.
• This will cause a heating effect in the power cables.
• Let’s look at two possible solutions to this problem.

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 391
Alternating Form?
First solution: make use of very thick cables
• The resistivity of copper is a material property and the length of the cables is fixed by
the distance between the power station and the cities. Thus, increasing the cross-
sectional area is the only option to reduce the resistance.
• However, this solution is impractical because
 using very thick cables increases the cost of cables tremendously,
 thicker cables are heavier and difficult to suspend, and
 even with a very low resistance, ohmic heating can still be substantially high
since it is proportional to the square of the current.

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 391
Alternating Form?
Question:
Why are most transmission cables underground in Singapore?

Advantages of underground transmission system

compared to the overhead system:
• Lesser transmission losses.
• Less affected by extreme weather conditions and
hence increases the reliability of supply of power.
• Reduced visual impact due to being below the
ground.

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 Textbook
21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Alternating Form?
Page 391

• Video on Singapore’s first large-scale underground substation:

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 391
Alternating Form?
The second solution: reduce the current transmitted
• This will reduce ohmic heating of transmission cables.
• However, to maintain the power that is transmitted, the voltage needs to be
increased substantially, since I =
• By reducing the current, the power loss, Ploss = I2R = ()2R, is reduced since V is
large.
• Hence, this solution is more viable.

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 21.3 Why Is Current Always Generated in Textbook
Page 392
Alternating Form?
• This is why transmission lines have voltages as high as 400 kV a.c. and is then stepped
down with transformers.
• Figure 21.18 shows a typical step-down transformer.

• If d.c. generators are used, the direct current electricity that is produced cannot be
stepped up or down. Then, the power loss during transmission would be very high.
• Therefore, current produced is always in alternating form.
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 Worked Example 21C

Why can’t we use V2/R to directly find Ploss?

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 Let’s Practise 21.3
1. An a.c. generator produces an induced e.m.f. of 500 V with a frequency of 50 Hz.
(a) Draw the waveform of the induced e.m.f. if the e.m.f. is 0 V at time t = 0.
Induced e.m.f / V

500

0
20 Time /s

-500

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 Let’s Practise 21.3
1. An a.c. generator produces an induced e.m.f. of 500 V with a frequency of 50 Hz.
b) If the induced e.m.f. in (a) is stepped up to 22 kV and the transformer has
100 turns on the primary coil, find the number of turns on the secondary coil.
c) If the voltage in (b) is transmitted to a town over a distance of 10 km and the
power loss in the transmission cable is 330 W, what is the current flowing in
the transmission cable?

b) Number of turns on the secondary coil = c) Current flowing in cable =

= 15 𝑚𝐴
= 4400

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 Refer to
Practice 5 Practice notes
page 9

A 100 m long transmission line has a resistance of 0.005 Ω m−1. Find the power
wasted as heat in the line when 30 kW of electrical power is transmitted at (a)
240 V; (b) 120 000 V.

Solution
Total resistance = 100 m × 0.005 Ω m−1
= 0.50 Ω
(b) P = IV
(a) P = IV
30 000 W = I × 120 000 V
30 000 W = I × 240 V I = 0.25 A
I = 125 A
Power loss = I2R Power loss = I2R
= (125 A)2 × 0.50 Ω = (0.25 A)2 × 0.5 Ω
= 0.0313 W
= 7810 W
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 Refer to
Practice 6 Practice notes
page 9

A transformer connected to a 240 V mains is stepped down to 12 V to charge a car

battery. The transformer draws a current of 0.25 A from the the mains and the
maximum current that the battery charger can draw is 4.5 A. What is the
efficiency of the transformer?

Solution

Output power = V × I = 12 V × 4.5 A = 54 W

Input power = V × I = 240 V × 0.25 A = 60 W

54 W
Efficiency = × 100%
60 W
= 90 %
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 Refer to
Practice 7 Practice notes
page 9

A transformer with an efficiency of 80% converts an input voltage of 25 V to 120

V. The output of the transformer is a 120 V, 50 W toaster. Determine the current
in the (a) toaster; (b) primary coil.

Solution

(a) Output power, P = I × V (b) 0.8 × input power = output power

50 W = I × 120 V 0.8 × input power = 50 W
I = 0.417 A input power = 62.5 W
62.5 W = VP × IP
62.5 W = 25 V × IP
IP = 2.5 A

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 Do Physics Theory
Workbook WS 21C
Q 1 to 3.

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 What Have Textbook
You Learnt? Page 394

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 Textbook
Enrichment Pages
387 and 393

• The underlying principle behind

wireless charging is
electromagnetic induction as
shown in Figure 21.13.
• Wireless charging of electric
vehicles is where the current
research is focused on as shown
in Figure 21.14.
• Can you think of some possible
applications of wireless power
transmission?
• What are other professions that
require the knowledge of voltage
modification?
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 Application

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 Application
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=malAir8z-C8

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 Enrichment
Video on eddy current braking:

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 Acknowledgements
• Slide 1: bulb © Sergey Nivens | 123RF.com, solar car © koya79 | 123rf.com, plant and buildings inside bulb © nexusplexus | 123rf.com, electric car charging station
– ID 37965032 © Haiyin | Dreamstime.com

• Slide 3: tablet © Daniel Korpai | unsplash.com

• Slide 7: power substation © Dr David Sing | Shutterstock.com

• Slide 9: electric guitar pickup © Barna Tanko | Shutterstock.com

• Slide 56: transmission cables – ID 19532489 © Olivier Le Queinec | Dreamstime. Com

• Slide 59: transformer © CREATE STUDIO | Shutterstock.com

• Slide 66: electric car charging © Scharfsinn | Shutterstock.com

84 ©️2023 Marshall Cavendish Education Pte Ltd