In terms of voltage, what does the turns ratio in a transformer determine?

The turns ratio in a transformer is fundamentally connected to how it transforms voltage. Specifically, the turns ratio defines the proportion of the number of coils (or turns) in the primary winding compared to the number of coils in the secondary winding. This ratio directly influences the relationship between the input voltage (voltage across the primary winding) and the output voltage (voltage across the secondary winding).

When you know the turns ratio, you can calculate the output voltage using the formula:

[ V_{secondary} = V_{primary} \times \left( \frac{N_{secondary}}{N_{primary}} \right) ]

Here, ( V_{secondary} ) is the voltage on the secondary side, ( V_{primary} ) is the input voltage, and the ratio ( \frac{N_{secondary}}{N_{primary}} ) represents the turns ratio. Therefore, the correct understanding of the turns ratio indicates how the voltage changes between the two sides of the transformer, making it a crucial element in transformer function. This is why the ratio of output voltage to input voltage is determined by the turns ratio.

In contrast, options referring to the minimum or maximum input voltage or the impedance of the transformer primarily address different aspects