Final answer:
A voltage transformer is a device that changes the voltage level of AC, widely used in power distribution and household electronics to adjust voltage to the appropriate levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Voltage Transformers
A voltage transformer is a device that transforms voltages from one value to another using the principle of electromagnetic induction. It does not convert voltage to current or transform mechanical energy into electrical energy; rather, it changes the voltage level of alternating current (AC). This transformation can either increase the voltage, known as a 'step-up transformer,' or decrease it, called a 'step-down transformer.' The transformer's ability to change voltages is crucial for the distribution of electricity, as power is transmitted over long distances at high voltages to reduce line loss and then stepped down to safer, lower voltages for residential or commercial use. Common household electronics such as cell phones and laptops utilize transformers to adjust the voltage from standard outlets to the voltage required by the device.
Electric motors are different from transformers; they transform electrical energy into mechanical energy, not mechanical into electrical—that's the function of an electric generator, which induces an emf by rotating a coil in a magnetic field.