Skip to main content
Ch. 29 - Electromagnetic Induction and Faraday's Law
Giancoli Douglas - Physics for Scientists and Engineers 5th edition
Giancoli Douglas5th editionPhysics for Scientists and EngineersISBN: 9780137488179Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 28, Problem 65ab

A high-intensity desk lamp is rated at 35 W but requires only 12 V. It contains a transformer that converts 120-V household voltage.
(a) Is the transformer step-up or step-down?
(b) What is the current in the secondary coil when the lamp is on?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the problem. The transformer is used to convert the household voltage (120 V) to the voltage required by the lamp (12 V). Since the output voltage (12 V) is lower than the input voltage (120 V), the transformer is a step-down transformer. This answers part (a).
Step 2: Recall the power formula. The power of the lamp is given as 35 W, and the voltage across the secondary coil is 12 V. Use the formula for electrical power: P = V I, where P is power, V is voltage, and I is current.
Step 3: Rearrange the formula to solve for the current in the secondary coil: I = P / V. Substitute the given values for P (35 W) and V (12 V) into the equation.
Step 4: Perform the division to calculate the current in the secondary coil. This will give the current in amperes (A).
Step 5: Verify the units and ensure the calculation aligns with the physical context of the problem. The current in the secondary coil should be consistent with the power and voltage provided for the lamp.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Transformers

Transformers are electrical devices that transfer electrical energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic induction. They can either step up or step down voltage levels. A step-up transformer increases voltage while decreasing current, whereas a step-down transformer decreases voltage while increasing current, maintaining the power balance.
Recommended video:

Ohm's Law

Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle in electronics that relates voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) in a circuit, expressed as V = I × R. This law is crucial for calculating the current flowing through a circuit when the voltage and resistance are known, allowing for the determination of electrical parameters in devices like lamps.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:07
Resistance and Ohm's Law

Power in Electrical Circuits

Power in electrical circuits is defined as the rate at which electrical energy is consumed or produced, calculated using the formula P = V × I, where P is power in watts, V is voltage in volts, and I is current in amperes. Understanding power is essential for determining how much energy a device like a lamp uses and for analyzing the efficiency of transformers.
Recommended video:
Guided course
06:18
Power in Circuits
Related Practice
Textbook Question

The primary windings of a transformer which has an 85% efficiency are connected to 110-V ac. The secondary windings are connected across a 2.4-Ω, 75-W lightbulb.

(a) Calculate the current through the primary windings of the transformer.

(b) Calculate the ratio of the number of primary windings of the transformer to the number of secondary windings of the transformer.

1
views
Textbook Question

What is the energy dissipated as a function of time in a circular loop of 18 turns of wire having a radius of 10.0 cm and a resistance of 2.0 Ω if the plane of the loop is perpendicular to a magnetic field given by B(t) = B₀e⁻ᵗ/ʳ with B₀ = 0.50 T and τ = 0.10 s?

1
views
Textbook Question

(III) In a circular region, there is a uniform magnetic field B\(\overrightarrow{B}\) pointing into the page (Fig. 29–56). An xy coordinate system has its origin at the circular region’s center. A free positive point charge +Q = 1.0 μC is initially at rest at a position x = +10 cm on the x axis. If the magnitude of the magnetic field is now decreased at a rate of -0.10 T/s, what force (magnitude and direction) will act on +Q?


1
views
Textbook Question

A circular loop of area 12 m² encloses a magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of the loop; its magnitude is B(t) = (8.0 T/s)t. The loop is connected to a 7.5-Ω resistor and a 6.5-pF capacitor in series. When fully charged, how much charge is stored on the capacitor?

1
views
Textbook Question

A high-intensity desk lamp is rated at 35 W but requires only 12 V. It contains a transformer that converts 120-V household voltage.

(c) What is the current in the primary coil?

(d) What is the resistance of the bulb when on?

1
views
Textbook Question

Determine the magnetic field at a point P due to a very long wire with a square bend as shown in Fig. 28–63. The point P is halfway between the two corners.

1
views