AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
The National Grid
Electricity · Lesson 8 of 10
Warm-up
Answer each one, then check.
1. What does a power station generate?
Electricity
2. What happens to a wire when a current flows?
It heats up
3. Write the equation for power using current and resistance.
P = I²R
4. What does step-up mean?
Increases the potential difference
5. What is a cable?
A wire used to carry current
Learning Objectives
1. Describe the National Grid as a system of cables and transformers.
2. State the roles of step-up and step-down transformers.
3. Explain why the National Grid is an efficient way to transfer energy.
The National Grid
Step-up transformers increase the potential difference for transmission, which reduces the current and so the energy wasted as heat in the cables.
The National Grid is a system of cables and transformers linking power stations to consumers.
From Power Station to Home
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High pd means low current. |
The National Grid: power station, step-up transformer, transmission cables, step-down transformer and homes.
Why High pd Means Efficient
Follow the logic.
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1 Power = pd × current For the same power, a higher pd means a smaller current. |
2 Less current A smaller current means less heating in the cables. |
3 Energy wasted Power loss in the cable is P = I²R, so halving the current cuts the loss to a quarter. |
4 Step-up transformers Increase the pd before the cables. |
5 Step-down transformers Decrease the pd to a safe value for homes (230 V). |
Comparing Losses
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100 kW is transmitted through cables of total resistance 2.0 Ω. Compare the power lost at 1000 V with the power lost at 10 000 V. |
1. Current at 1000 V
I = P ÷ V = 100 000 ÷ 1000 = 100 A
2. Power lost
P = I²R = 100² × 2.0 = 20 000 W
3. Current at 10 000 V
I = 100 000 ÷ 10 000 = 10 A
4. Power lost
10² × 2.0 = 200 W
Answer: 20 kW lost at 1000 V but only 200 W lost at 10 000 V: high pd wastes far less energy.
Key Points
For an exam answer.
▸ Efficient. High pd, low current means little energy wasted as heat in the cables.
▸ Step-up. Used at the power station end.
▸ Step-down. Used near homes and factories.
▸ Safety. The high pd is reduced to 230 V before homes.
Key Terms
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National Grid A system of cables and transformers linking power stations to consumers. |
Transformer A device that changes the size of an alternating pd. |
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Step-up transformer Increases the pd. |
Step-down transformer Decreases the pd. |
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Transmission cables Cables that carry electricity over long distances. |
Efficient Wasting little energy. |
Your Task: Follow the Grid
10 minutes
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Put these in the correct order: homes, step-up transformer, power station, step-down transformer, transmission cables. 1. Start at the power station. 2. End at homes. |
A good answer shows: Power station, step-up transformer, transmission cables, step-down transformer, homes.
Can I...?
☐ Describe the National Grid.
☐ State what a step-up transformer does.
☐ State what a step-down transformer does.
☐ Explain why high pd is used.
☐ Link current to energy wasted.
☐ Compare power losses.
☐ Draw or complete a grid diagram.
☐ Explain why 230 V is needed in homes.
Summary
✓ Step-up transformers increase pd, step-down decrease it.
✓ High pd means low current for the same power.
✓ Low current means less energy wasted as heat in the cables.
✓ The National Grid is efficient.
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EXAM FOCUS Explain why the National Grid transmits electricity at a high potential difference. (3 marks) Say higher pd means lower current, so less heating. |