Chapter 37, Problem 45A

In what sense can a transformer be thought of as an electrical lever? What does it multiply? What does it not multiply?

To determine

To Explain: A transformer can be thought of as electrical power. The quantity which the transformer multiplies and which it does not multiply.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction: 

A transformer steps up or steps down the electrical voltage. It multiplies either voltage or current (depends on voltage transformer or current transformer) but it does not multiply electrical power.

Explanation: 

A lever transfers the force from one end(point) to another end (another point). Similar to that of a transformer that steps up or steps down the electric voltage, by transmitting power at one terminal to another terminal.

The power transmission (energy per unit time) remains constant and the turns ratio will determine whether it is a step up $\left(V₁>V₂\right)$ or stepdown $\left(V₁<V₂\right)$ transformer. So, the transformer multiples either voltage or current but it does not multiply the electric power.

P=VI, always constant.

Conclusion: 

The transformer does not multiply the electric power because the power transmission remains constant.