Final answer:
Transformers work based on Faraday's Law of electromagnetic induction, where a changing magnetic flux in the primary coil induces an electromotive force in the secondary coil, either increasing or decreasing the voltage depending on the turns ratio.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Transformers Work in Relation to Faraday's Law
Transformers operate on the principle of electromagnetic induction, which is described by Faraday's Law. This law states that a changing magnetic flux through a coil induces an electromotive force (emf). In the context of a transformer, there are two coils: the primary coil, where input AC voltage is applied, and the secondary coil, where transformed output AC voltage is produced. Changes in the magnetic flux, due to the alternating current in the primary coil, induce an alternating voltage in the secondary coil.
You can understand this process by considering the following steps:
- AC voltage applied to the primary coil creates a time-varying magnetic field.
- The magnetic field passes through the iron core, which traps and strengthens the magnetic field.
- As the magnetic field fluctuates, it induces a magnetic flux change in the secondary coil.
- According to Faraday's Law, this change in magnetic flux over time induces an emf in the secondary coil proportionate to the number of turns in the coil and inversely proportional to the time rate of change of the flux.
This induced emf in the secondary coil is what we use as the transformer's output. The ratio of the number of turns in the primary coil to the number of turns in the secondary coil determines whether the transformer increases or decreases voltage, known as a step-up or step-down transformer, respectively.