Final answer:
The core in a transformer is made of soft iron to maximize the magnetic flux between the windings, increasing efficiency by containing and amplifying the magnetic field, while lamination minimizes energy loss due to eddy currents.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a transformer, the function of the soft iron core is vital for efficient operation. The soft iron core is used in transformers to ensure maximum magnetic flux is passed between the primary and secondary windings. It is selected due to its high magnetic permeability, which allows it to easily become magnetized and enhance the magnetic field generated by the primary coil. This characteristic permits the iron core to trap the magnetic field within itself, significantly increasing the magnetic field strength that is transmitted to the secondary coil. Laminations are added to the iron core to minimize the loss of energy due to eddy currents. Eddy currents can cause significant heating in the core, and by laminating the core with thin, electrically insulated sheets of iron, these currents are reduced, leading to more efficient energy transmission within the transformer, with losses as low as 1% in a well-designed system.