1

1 The mains input (primary) potential difference (p.d.) to a transformer is 230 V a.c.

The number of turns on the input (primary) coil is 314. The number of turns on the output (secondary)
coil is 150.

Calculate the output (secondary) p.d. from the transformer.

output p.d. = ........................................................ V [3]

[Total: 3]

2 The diagram shows an outline of a transformer.

core
primary coil
314 turns secondary coil
150 turns

230 V
a.c.

(a) State a suitable material for the core of the transformer.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) State a suitable material for the primary and secondary coils of the transformer.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Explain how the diagram shows a step-down transformer.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 3]
 2

3 The diagram shows a wire XY carrying a large electric current between the poles of a permanent
magnet. There is an upward force on the wire XY.

X
current
force

magnet magnet

N S

State two different ways of making the force on the wire XY act downwards.

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]

4 The device in the diagram is connected to a 240 V mains supply.

The device produces a potential difference (p.d.) of 12 V between A and B.

A 12 V lamp is connected between A and B.

secondary coil

A
240 V
mains 12 V
supply lamp

primary coil
8000 turns

(a) State the name of the device shown in the diagram.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]
 3

(b) The device includes two coils.

State the material used for the coils.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 2]

5 The diagram shows a wire XY carrying a large electric current between the poles of a permanent
magnet. There is an upward force on the wire XY.

X
current
force

magnet magnet

N S

State two different ways of increasing the force due to the current in the wire XY.

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]
 4

6 The device in the diagram is connected to a 240 V mains supply.

The device produces a potential difference (p.d.) of 12 V between A and B.

A 12 V lamp is connected between A and B.

secondary coil

A
240 V
mains 12 V
supply lamp

primary coil
8000 turns

Calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil. Use information from the diagram.

number of turns = .............................................. [3]

[Total: 3]
 5

7 Diagram A shows a wire passing through a card. There is a large electric current in the wire in the
direction shown. Diagram B shows the same arrangement when viewed from above the card.

card
large
current

card

Diagram A Diagram B

There is a pattern of magnetic field lines around the wire due to the current in the wire.

On diagram B, draw the pattern and direction of the magnetic field as if viewed from above the
card. [3]

[Total: 3]

8 Give two reasons for transmitting electrical energy at very high voltages.

1. ..............................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

2. ..............................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]
 6

9 The electric current in the circuit produces two effects.

Place a tick (✓) in the boxes next to these two effects.

gravitational

magnetic

heating

sound

X-ray emissions
[2]

[Total: 2]

10 The electric circuit for a microwave oven includes a transformer.

The voltage to the primary coil of the transformer Vp is 240 V.
The number of turns on the primary coil Np is 70.

The number of turns on the secondary coil Ns is 560.

Calculate the secondary voltage Vs for the transformer.

Vs = .............................................. V [3]

[Total: 3]

11 A power station contains a transformer. The primary voltage Vp for the transformer is 25 000 V.
The number of turns on the primary coil Np is 600.
The number of turns on the secondary coil Ns is 4800.

Calculate the secondary voltage Vs for the transformer.

Vs = .............................................. V [3]
 7

[Total: 3]

12 The diagram shows a wire, placed between two poles, carrying a current in the direction of the
arrow.

On the diagram, draw an arrow to show the direction of the force on the wire due to the magnetic
field. [2]

[Total: 2]
 8

13 The diagram shows two vertical, cylindrical tubes and a cylindrical magnet all held in a vacuum.

cylindrical
magnet

plastic tube copper tube

(not to scale)

One tube is made of plastic and the other tube is made of copper. The two cylindrical tubes have
identical dimensions.

The magnetic field of the small, cylindrical magnet is extremely strong.

Initially, the magnet is at rest at the top of the plastic tube.

The magnet is released and it falls through the plastic tube without experiencing a resistive force.

The magnet is then held at the top of the copper tube and released. As it falls through the copper
tube, an electric current is generated in the copper.

The current in the copper produces a magnetic field of its own in the tube.

The magnet falls much more slowly in the copper tube than in the plastic tube.

Explain why the magnet falls more slowly in the copper tube.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]
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14 The diagram shows two vertical, cylindrical tubes and a cylindrical magnet all held in a vacuum.

cylindrical
magnet

plastic tube copper tube

(not to scale)

One tube is made of plastic and the other tube is made of copper. The two cylindrical tubes have
identical dimensions.

The magnetic field of the small, cylindrical magnet is extremely strong.

The magnet is held at the top of the copper tube and released. As it falls through the copper tube,
an electric current is generated in the copper.

Explain why there is a current in the copper.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]

15 A step-up transformer is used to step up the output voltage of a power station from 25 000 V to
400 000 V for transmission along power lines.

The number of turns on the secondary coil is 36 000.

Calculate the number of turns on the primary coil.

number of turns = ............................................ [2]

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[Total: 2]

16 The diagram shows a magnet on the end of a spring and a coil of wire connected to a sensitive
centre-zero galvanometer. The magnet can move freely through the coil.

spring

coil of wire
N

centre-zero
galvanometer

(a) The magnet is pulled down and released.

Describe and explain what happens to the needle of the sensitive galvanometer.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [4]

(b) The magnet is replaced with a stronger magnet.

State the effect of using a stronger magnet on what happens to the needle of the galvanometer.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 5]
 11

17 A battery charger for a laptop computer includes a transformer.

The primary voltage Vp to the transformer is 240 V.

The number of turns on the primary coil Np is 590 turns and the number of turns on the secondary
coil Ns of the transformer is 48 turns.

Calculate the secondary voltage Vs of the transformer.

secondary voltage Vs = .............................................. V [3]

[Total: 3]

18 The diagram shows the same bar magnets with a coil of wire between them.
direction of
rotation handle

N S

galvanometer
A

(a) The coil of wire is rotated in the direction shown in the diagram.

On the diagram, draw an arrow to show the direction of the current in the coil. Explain your
answer.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]
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(b) Explain how rotating the coil in the diagram continuously causes the galvanometer needle to
show an alternating current.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [4]

[Total: 6]

19 A radio is connected to the mains supply using a step-down transformer

(a) Draw a labelled diagram of the structure of a basic step-down transformer.

[3]

(b) Explain the operation of a basic transformer.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 6]
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20 The diagram shows two bar magnets with a coil of wire between them.

direction of
rotation handle

N S

galvanometer
A

Name the parts labelled A in the diagram

.................................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 1]

21 A laptop computer uses a transformer to change the voltage of the mains electricity supply.

The input (primary) voltage is 120 V.

The input (primary) coil has 2000 turns and the output (secondary) coil has 200 turns.

Calculate the output (secondary) voltage from the transformer.

output (secondary) voltage = ...................................................... V [3]

[Total: 3]
 14

22 A radio is connected to the mains supply using a step-down transformer.

The voltage of the mains supply is 230 V. The output voltage of the transformer is 6.0 V.

Calculate the value of the turns ratio ( ).

Give your answer to two significant figures.

value of turns ratio = ..................................................... [2]

[Total: 2]

23 A student uses two bar magnets to create a uniform magnetic field. He places a current carrying
wire at right angles to the magnetic field, as shown in the diagram.

There is a force on the current-carrying wire.

(a) The student wants to reverse the direction of the force on the wire.

State one change that reverses the direction of the force on the wire.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]
 15

(b) The student increases the separation of the poles of the permanent magnets.

State and explain how increasing the separation affects the force on the current-carrying wire.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 3]

24 The diagram shows a horizontal conducting wire XY between two opposite magnetic poles. Wire
XY forms a circuit with an ammeter.

(a) Y

wire

N X
S
A

The wire XY is moved and there is a deflection on the ammeter that indicates there is a current
in the wire from X to Y.

On the table below, tick one box to indicate the direction of the movement of the wire XY.
Explain your answer.

to the bottom to the top of

into page out of page to the left to the right
of the page the page

explanation .......................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [3]
 16

(b) State what is observed on the ammeter when the wire XY is moved

(i) in the opposite direction to part (a) ...............................................................................

(ii) in the same direction as part (a) but at a greater speed ............................................. [2]

[Total: 5]

25 The diagram shows a horizontal conducting wire XY between two opposite magnetic poles. Wire
XY forms a circuit with an ammeter.

wire

N X
S
A

Explain why the reading on the ammeter is zero when the wire XY is not moving.

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 1]

26 Some transformers produce high electrical voltage for the transmission of electrical energy.
Describe two advantages of high-voltage transmission.

1. ..............................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

2. ..............................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]
 17

27 The diagram represents a transformer. The primary coil has 300 turns and the secondary coil has
30 turns. The input voltage is 230 V a.c.

Calculate the voltage across the secondary coil.

voltage = .............................................. V [3]

[Total: 3]

28 The diagram represents a transformer. The primary coil has 300 turns and the secondary coil has
30 turns. The input voltage is 230 V a.c.

State a suitable material for the core of the transformer.

.................................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 1]
 18

29 An electric circuit includes a transformer. The input voltage of the transformer is 120 V a.c. The
input coil has 480 turns of wire and the output coil has 60 turns of wire.

Calculate the output voltage of the transformer.

output voltage = .............................................. V [3]

[Total: 3]

30 A clamp and stand hold a soft-iron bar above a bench. A coil of wire is wrapped round the soft-iron
bar. The coil of wire is part of an electric circuit.

This circuit is used to operate a bell in a different circuit, as shown in the diagram.

(a) Switch S is closed. The soft-iron arm is attracted to the soft-iron bar.

Explain why the bell operates when the switch S is opened.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [4]
 19

(b) The switch S is closed. The soft-iron arm is attracted to the soft-iron bar.

The battery in the circuit containing the soft-iron bar becomes fully discharged.

State and explain whether the bell operates.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 5]

31 (a) Describe an experiment to show that a force acts on a current-carrying conductor placed in a
magnetic field. You may draw a diagram to help your answer.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [4]

(b) A current in a wire can cause the wire to get hot and melt the wire.

Describe how to reduce the heating effect of a current.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 5]
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32 The diagram shows a relay.

The switch in circuit A is closed. Describe how this operates the motor in circuit B.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [3]

[Total: 3]

33 Electrical power is produced in a power station by an alternating current (a.c.) generator. The output
of the generator has a voltage of 22 000 V. The electrical power is transmitted at a voltage of
400 000 V.

Explain why electrical power is transmitted at a voltage of 400 000 V and not 22 000 V.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [3]

[Total: 3]
 21

34 The diagram represents a current in a wire. The current is into the plane of the paper.

(a) Draw the pattern of the magnetic field produced around the wire. Show clearly the direction
of the magnetic field.

[2]

(b) The direction of the current in the wire is reversed. The magnitude of the current is unchanged.

State the effect that reversing the current has on the magnetic field produced.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 3]

35 An electron source produces a narrow beam of electrons that all travel at the same speed.

The electron source is placed in a vacuum and the beam of electrons travels vertically downwards.
The diagram shows the beam of electrons before it passes between the N-pole and the S-pole of
a magnet.
 22

(a) Describe what is meant by the direction of a magnetic field. State the direction of the magnetic
field between the two poles in the diagram.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Describe and explain what happens to the beam of electrons in the magnetic field between
the poles of the magnet in the diagram.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 4]
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36 The diagram shows a relay.

Circuit A contains a switch that operates the motor in circuit B when it is closed.

The soft-iron armature is replaced with a steel armature. The switch in circuit A is closed.

Explain what happens when the switch in circuit A is then opened.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]

37 A power supply circuit includes a transformer. Its input voltage is 240 V. There are 960 turns on
the input coil and 64 turns on the output coil.

Calculate the output voltage of the transformer.

output voltage = .............................................. V [3]

[Total: 3]
 24

38 The motor for a model train uses an alternating voltage of 12 V. This is supplied by the secondary
coil of a transformer.

The primary coil of the transformer is connected to a mains voltage of 240 V.

The primary coil has 900 turns.

Calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil.

number of turns on the secondary coil = .............................................. [3]

[Total: 3]

39 A model train uses an electric motor. The motor has a coil of wire in a magnetic field.

The diagram shows a coil of wire in a magnetic field.

Describe two ways of increasing the turning effect on the coil.

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]
 25

40 An electromagnet consists of a solenoid X that is made of copper wire. The solenoid contains an
iron core.

The diagram shows the electromagnet inside a second solenoid Y.

A switch and a lamp are connected in series with the terminals of solenoid Y. When the switch is
closed, the lamp lights up at normal brightness.

Describe and explain what happens to the current in solenoid X when the switch is closed.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]