6. The National Grid

Available for over a year

In this episode, Ellie Hurer and James Stewart explore The National Grid and it's use of step-up and step-down transformers to safely transfer electricity to consumers across the country. Suitable for: AQA, Edexcel, OCR. For more information on the National Grid, check out the BBC Bitesize website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zw8n2nb/revision/4 Key learning objectives discussed in this episode: - The National Grid is a system of cables and transformers linking power stations to consumers. - Electrical power is transferred from power stations to consumers using the National Grid. - Step-up transformers are used to increase the potential difference from the power station to the transmission cables then step-down transformers are used to decrease, to a much lower value, the potential difference for domestic use. - Students should be able to explain why the National Grid system is an efficient way to transfer energy. - Higher tier only: Students should be able to select and use the equation: - potential difference across primary coil x current in primary coil = potential difference across secondary coil x current in secondary coil - as given on the equation sheet.