The transformer: past paper questions

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• Question 36May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The step-down transformer shown reduces mains voltage to $12\text{ V}$. When the transformer is used, some energy is transferred to the surroundings. Which energy store of the surroundings increases?

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which components are used to construct an efficient simple transformer?

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What are the best materials to use for the construction of a transformer?

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• Question 32Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Cables transmit electrical power from the output of the transformer at a power station to the input of another transformer at a substation. The power at the output of the transformer at the power station is $400\text{ MW}$.

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  What does a step-up transformer increase?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 31Structured13 marks

  A television uses many electrical components. The potential difference (voltage) across a component is $72\text{ V}$. The current in the component is $0.024\text{ A}$.

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Two transformers, P and Q, each have 2000 turns on their primary coils and 1000 turns on their secondary coils. Both transformers are 100% efficient. The secondary of transformer P is connected to the primary of transformer Q. Q provides a motor with a current of $0.2\text{ A}$.

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  What is a transformer used for?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A coal-fired power station is far from a city. The electricity generated by the power station is transmitted to the city at a high voltage. State two advantages of high-voltage transmission of electricity.

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• Question 33Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the structure of a simple transformer. Which row shows the correct conditions for the efficiency of the transformer to be as high as possible?

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• Question 10May/June 2026, paper 41Structured9 marks

  Nuclear power stations use uranium as the fuel. An isotope of uranium has 92 protons and 143 neutrons in each nucleus. Complete the nuclide notation for this isotope.

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• Question 32May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The transformer in a laptop power supply is used to change mains voltage from 240 V to 20 V. The transformer has 600 turns on the secondary coil. Which type of transformer is it and how many turns does the transformer have on the primary coil?

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2024, paper 31Structured8 marks

  In an experiment, a student uses an electrical heater connected to a power supply. The current in the electrical heater is $2.2\text{ A}$. The voltage (p.d.) across the heater is $12\text{ V}$.

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 43Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A teacher uses the arrangement shown in Figure 8.1 to demonstrate how an intruder alarm works. Switch S is connected to a door. When the door is open, switch S is open.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2024, paper 32Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 represents part of a d.c. electric motor. The coil of wire rotates at a steady speed.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2024, paper 33Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 shows a magnet spinning steadily near to a coil. There is a reading on the voltmeter. Explain why there is a reading on the voltmeter.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2023, paper 31Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 6.1 shows four wind turbines. Describe how a wind turbine generates electrical power.

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• Question 33May/June 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  The primary voltage supplied to a transformer is $3.0\text{ V}$. The secondary voltage is $5.0\text{ V}$ and the secondary current is $2.0\text{ A}$. The transformer is $100\mathrm{\%}$ efficient.

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• Question 9Oct/Nov 2024, paper 42Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 shows a wireless charging plate used to charge the battery in a mobile phone (cell phone). The coil of wire is part of an electric circuit. The charging plate is connected to an a.c.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2023, paper 33Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows an arrangement for transmitting electricity generated by a power station. The step-up transformer has 500 turns on the primary coil. Calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil of the step-up transformer.

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• Question 9May/June 2025, paper 31Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 shows a router. The router emits Wi-Fi signals. The power input to the router circuit is $9.0\text{ W}$.

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• Question 30May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A transformer has 400 turns on the primary coil connected to the $240\text{ V}$ mains supply. There are two secondary coils to serve different parts of a television. Secondary coil 1 has 2500 turns and secondary coil 2 has 20 turns.

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• Question 33May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is an advantage of transmitting electricity at a high voltage?

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• Question 8May/June 2025, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 shows a diagram of part of a simple a.c. generator. Identify components A and B in Fig. 8.1.

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• Question 31May/June 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which types of electric current are in the primary coil and the secondary coil of a step-up transformer?

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• Question 33May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram represents the transmission of electricity from a power station to homes that are many kilometres away.

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• Question 9May/June 2025, paper 43Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 shows a transformer. There is an alternating current in the primary coil. Describe how an alternating current is produced in the secondary coil.

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• Question 33May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  How is electricity transmitted over large distances and why is it transmitted in this way?

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• Question 9May/June 2024, paper 31Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 shows the power cable for connecting a desktop computer to the mains electricity circuit. State the name of each of the three wires inside the power cable.

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• Question 32May/June 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about a transformer is correct?

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