Transformer - GCSE Physics Definition

In GCSE Physics, a transformer is a device used to change the voltage of electricity in a circuit. It can either increase the voltage, which is called "stepping up," or decrease the voltage, known as "stepping down." A transformer has two sets of coils, called the primary and secondary coils, which are wound around a core made of iron. When an electric current flows through the primary coil, it creates a magnetic field that induces a current in the secondary coil, changing the voltage. Transformers are important in the electrical grid because they help control and deliver the right voltage for different uses, like powering homes and buildings safely.