An electrical power plant generates electricity with a current of 50A and a potential difference of 20,000 V. In order to minimize the power losses due to the high current heating up the line, a transformer steps up the potential difference to 500,000 V before it is transmitted. What is the current in the transmission lines?

power = voltage * current

20,000 * 50 = 500,000 i

i = 50 (2/50) = 2 amps

That is why you send big power at high voltage

To find the current in the transmission lines, we can use the principle of power conservation. The power generated by the power plant is equal to the power transmitted through the lines.

The power generated can be calculated using the formula:
Power generated = Current * Potential difference

Given:
Current generated by the power plant = 50 A
Potential difference generated by the power plant = 20,000 V

Power generated = 50 A * 20,000 V
Power generated = 1,000,000 W (or 1 MW)

Since the power transmitted is the same as the power generated, the power transmitted is also 1 MW.

To find the current in the transmission lines after the potential difference is stepped up, we can rearrange the power formula:

Power transmitted = Current transmitted * Potential difference transmitted

Given:
Power transmitted = 1 MW (or 1,000,000 W)
Potential difference transmitted = 500,000 V

Using the rearranged power formula:
Current transmitted = Power transmitted / Potential difference transmitted

Plugging in the values:
Current transmitted = 1,000,000 W / 500,000 V
Current transmitted = 2 A

Therefore, the current in the transmission lines is 2 A.