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Induced potential, transformers and the National Grid (physics only) (HT only)
The useful distinction here is that Induced potential, transformers and the National Grid (physics only) (HT only) sits inside 4.7 Magnetism and electromagnetism and should be revised as a connected set of physical ideas, not as isolated definitions. Context: the topic brings together Induced potential (HT only), Uses of the generator effect (HT only), Microphones (HT only), Transformers (HT only) and asks students to move between description, calculation, graph interpretation and explanation where appropriate. Key Concept: identify the quantity, model or interaction first, then state how evidence or a mathematical relationship supports it. Worked Example: for a typical exam item, name the relevant principle, use the given data or diagram, and finish with a sentence that interprets the physical consequence. Exam Focus: keep command words visible; describe asks for features, explain asks for a causal link, calculate requires equation, substitution and unit, and evaluate needs evidence. Common Mistake: avoid using a nearby concept as a substitute, such as confusing field with force, current with potential difference, speed with acceleration, or red-shift evidence with the Big Bang model itself.
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46 objective pages available
Induced potential (HT only)10 objectives
- (Physics only) (HT only) Describe how a potential difference is induced across a conductor when the conductor moves relative to a magnetic field.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Describe how a potential difference is induced when there is a change in the magnetic field around a conductor.
- (Physics only) (HT only) State that a current is induced if the conductor is part of a complete circuit.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Describe induced potential difference and induced current as the generator effect.
- (Physics only) (HT only) State that an induced current generates a magnetic field that opposes the original change.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Explain that the original change may be the movement of the conductor or the change in magnetic field.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Recall the factors that affect the size of the induced potential difference or induced current.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Recall the factors that affect the direction of the induced potential difference or induced current.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Apply the principles of the generator effect in a given context.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Distinguish induced current from supplied current in electromagnetic devices.
Uses of the generator effect (HT only)8 objectives
- (Physics only) (HT only) State that the generator effect is used in an alternator to generate alternating current.
- (Physics only) (HT only) State that the generator effect is used in a dynamo to generate direct current.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Explain how the generator effect is used in an alternator to generate ac.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Explain how the generator effect is used in a dynamo to generate dc.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Draw graphs of potential difference generated in a coil against time.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Interpret graphs of potential difference generated in a coil against time.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Distinguish ac output from dc output using potential difference-time graphs.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Apply WS 1.4 when interpreting diagrams and graphs of generator-effect devices.
Microphones (HT only)5 objectives
- (Physics only) (HT only) State that microphones use the generator effect.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Describe how pressure variations in sound waves are converted into variations in current in electrical circuits.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Explain how a moving-coil microphone works.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Link movement of a coil in a magnetic field to induced potential difference in a microphone.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Distinguish microphone generator-effect operation from loudspeaker motor-effect operation.
Transformers (HT only)23 objectives
- (Physics only) (HT only) Describe a basic transformer as a primary coil and a secondary coil wound on an iron core.
- (Physics only) (HT only) State that iron is used in the core because it is easily magnetised.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Recognise that knowledge of laminations and eddy currents in the core is not required.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Explain how an alternating current in one coil induces a current in another coil.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Explain how the effect of an alternating current in one coil inducing a current in another is used in transformers.
- (Physics only) (HT only) State that the ratio of the potential differences across the primary and secondary coils depends on the ratio of the number of turns on each coil.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Recall and apply the transformer equation Vp / Vs = np / ns.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Identify Vp and Vs as potential differences in volts.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Identify np and ns as the number of turns on the primary and secondary coils.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Describe a step-up transformer as having secondary potential difference greater than primary potential difference.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Describe a step-down transformer as having secondary potential difference less than primary potential difference.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Explain how the ratio of potential differences across the two coils depends on the ratio of turns on each coil.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Calculate primary potential difference, secondary potential difference, primary turns or secondary turns using transformer ratios.
- (Physics only) (HT only) State that if transformers were 100 percent efficient, the electrical power output would equal the electrical power input.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Recall and apply the equation Vp x Ip = Vs x Is for a 100 percent efficient transformer.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Identify Vp x Ip as power input and Vs x Is as power output.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Identify transformer power input and output in watts.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Calculate the current drawn from the input supply to provide a particular power output.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Apply the equation linking potential differences and turns to current and power transfer.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Relate transformer calculations to the advantages of power transmission at high potential differences.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Apply MS 3b and MS 3c when using transformer equations.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Apply MS 1c, MS 3b and MS 3c when linking transformer calculations to power transmission.
- (Physics only) (HT only) Recognise that transformer equations are given on the Physics equation sheet.
Key terms
Exam tips
- National Grid transformer reasoning exam tip for Induced...: Use National Grid transformer reasoning explicitly, then link it to a bar magnet and plotting compass practical and state how it avoids confusing AC and DC.
- National Grid transformer reasoning exam tip for Induced...: Use National Grid transformer reasoning explicitly, then link it to a steel core electromagnet demonstration and state how it avoids confusing magnetic field direction and force direction.
Common mistakes
- National Grid transformer reasoning: avoid AC and DC: Instead, identify the exact Unit 4.7 idea in Induced potential (HT only), then explain how it links to a bar magnet and plotting compass practical and the objective to describe how a potential difference is induced across a conductor when the conductor moves relative to a magnetic field.
- National Grid transformer reasoning: avoid magnetic field...: Instead, identify the exact Unit 4.7 idea in Induced potential (HT only), then explain how it links to a steel core electromagnet demonstration and the objective to describe how a potential difference is induced when there is a change in the magnetic field around a conductor.
Practice preview
- Select the statement that would earn credit in an AQA GCSE Physics answer. Context: step-up transformer demonstration AC-output. Learning objective: (Physics only) (HT only) Describe how a potential difference is induced across a conductor when the conductor moves relative to a magnetic field.. Which answer is most accurate for Induced potential (HT only)? Distinct revision anchor: fluxcue521a coilcue521b fieldcue521c polecue521d gridcue521e motorcue521f generatorcue521g transformercue521h compasscue521i currentcue521j voltagecue521k forcecue521l.
- Which explanation best links the observation to the physics? Context: step-down charger transformer AC-output. Learning objective: (Physics only) (HT only) Describe how a potential difference is induced across a conductor when the conductor moves relative to a magnetic field.. Which answer is most accurate for Induced potential (HT only)? Distinct revision anchor: fluxcue522a coilcue522b fieldcue522c polecue522d gridcue522e motorcue522f generatorcue522g transformercue522h compasscue522i currentcue522j voltagecue522k forcecue522l.
- Which conclusion keeps the magnetism concept boundary clear? Context: iron-filings field pattern AC-output. Learning objective: (Physics only) (HT only) Describe how a potential difference is induced across a conductor when the conductor moves relative to a magnetic field.. Which answer is most accurate for Induced potential (HT only)? Distinct revision anchor: fluxcue523a coilcue523b fieldcue523c polecue523d gridcue523e motorcue523f generatorcue523g transformercue523h compasscue523i currentcue523j voltagecue523k forcecue523l.
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