Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-b-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2018/paper-2/section-b/b6/c/solution

An electrical transformer transfers alternating electrical power between windings through a shared changing magnetic flux. A core with large magnetic permeability confines most of the flux, so both windings link approximately the same flux . Faraday's law gives induced electromotive forces
For an ideal electrical transformer, negligible winding resistance and leakage flux imply the terminal-voltage magnitude ratio
The relative phase depends on the winding sense and terminal convention. At a loaded secondary, Lenz's law makes the secondary current oppose the flux change. The primary draws an additional current which approximately cancels the secondary magnetomotive force: in magnitude when the magnetizing current is negligible. Consequently
for a resistive load, using root mean square values. More generally the ideal device conserves instantaneous power, with the appropriate current signs. A load impedance appears at the primary as , enabling impedance matching and electrical isolation.
For sinusoidal flux, gives . At a given supply voltage, reducing frequency increases the required peak flux and can drive the core into magnetic saturation. Real losses include winding Joule heating, magnetic hysteresis, eddy currents and leakage flux; a laminated core suppresses eddy-current loops. A steady direct current produces no continuing secondary electromotive force, while its small winding resistance can allow a damaging primary current after switching transients.

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