Does a Step-Up Transformer Really Increase Light Bulb Brightness?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the effects of a step-up transformer on the brightness of a light bulb, exploring the relationship between voltage, current, and power in electrical circuits. Participants examine theoretical and practical implications, including concepts from electrical engineering and physics.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the theoretical basis of power generation by transformers, noting that a light bulb connected to a step-up transformer appears brighter.
  • Another participant explains that a step-up transformer does not generate extra power but instead converts current to voltage, affecting the power available to the load.
  • A different perspective suggests visualizing the power supply and load in terms of how the load draws power from the supply, which may influence understanding of the system.
  • One participant asserts that the bulb's increased brightness is due to higher power output from the source, facilitated by the transformer allowing the load to draw more power.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on how a step-up transformer affects the brightness of a light bulb, with no consensus reached on the underlying mechanisms or implications of power transfer.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference fundamental electrical concepts such as Ohm's law and power calculations, indicating that assumptions about power, current, and voltage are critical to the discussion. However, the discussion does not resolve the complexities of these relationships.

steve oliver
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theroteically using transformers can't create power then why a light bulb connected with a step up transformer can become brighter
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Useful links you should check if you didn't:

Voltage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage
Ohm's law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm's_law
Current: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_current
Transformer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer
Power: V x I, I2R, V2/R

A step up transformer doesn't generate any extra power, it only interchanges current with voltage: it can elevate the voltage but the maximum current provided by its output lowers wrt to input current and provides he same (or lower, due to efficiency issues) power.
Because a bulb requires a voltage that the transformer's output provides to generate enough current to light up its filament (or LED or whatever), but if the transformer can't provide enough current , the bulb won't light up.
 
Last edited:
There are two ways to visualise a power supply and a load (light bulb).

1) The power supply delivers a certain amount of power to the load.
2) The load draws (sucks?) a certain amount of power from the supply.

It's sometimes better to think in terms of 2) rather than 1).
 
then what makes the bulb connected to a step up transformer become brighter
 
The bulb is brighter due to Increased power output from the source. The transformer does not provide any power itself, but it can make a load draw more power from a source.
 

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