Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Integrated Science (024) Practice Exam

Which of the following can be an example of a transformer?

1. Refrigerator

2. Battery charger

3. Incandescent bulb

4. Electric motor

The correct answer is: Battery charger

A battery charger is indeed a suitable example of a transformer because it converts electrical energy from one voltage level to another, which is a fundamental purpose of transformers in electrical systems. When charging a battery, the charger typically steps down the voltage from the power source to a level that is appropriate for the battery, ensuring safe and effective charging. This process involves the use of coils and magnetic fields, which are the essential components of transformers. In contrast, while other options involve electrical components, they do not primarily function as transformers. A refrigerator operates through a compressor and cooling cycles rather than the voltage transformation of a transformer. An incandescent bulb directly converts electricity into light without transforming voltage levels. An electric motor functions by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, not by transforming voltage but by using electromagnetic principles to produce motion.