How is power transferred from the primary winding to the secondary winding in a transformer?

Power is transferred from the primary winding to the secondary winding in a transformer through magnetic coupling. This process relies on the principle of electromagnetic induction. When alternating current flows through the primary winding, it creates a magnetic field around it. This magnetic field passes through the core of the transformer and induces an electromotive force (EMF) in the secondary winding, allowing energy to be transferred without any physical connection between the two windings.

This method of energy transfer is highly efficient and is fundamental to how transformers operate, especially in electrical power distribution. It allows transformers to step up or step down voltage levels, which is essential for efficient long-distance electricity transmission.

Other forms of coupling, such as resistive, capacitive, or electrical conduction, do not facilitate the same kind of energy transfer as magnetic coupling does in transformers, which makes this concept critical for understanding transformer functionality in electrical systems.