The circuitry includes transformers that ______ the voltage and reduce amperage; the boosted voltage typically ranges from ______ volts.

The circuitry includes transformers that ______ the voltage and reduce amperage; the boosted voltage typically ranges from ______ volts.

• A. Shorts the circuit without changing voltage
• B. Boosts the voltage to 20k-150k volts while reducing amperage
• C. Increases amperage while lowering voltage to 1-2 volts
• D. Leaves voltage unchanged

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how a transformer changes voltage and current together. A step-up transformer increases the voltage and, as a result, reduces the current, because the power delivered (voltage times current) stays roughly the same aside from losses. In devices like stun guns, the goal is to deliver a high voltage pulse while keeping the current low enough to minimize lethal risk. That’s why the boosted voltage is described in the tens to hundreds of thousands of volts, with the amperage correspondingly reduced. Saying the voltage is raised to around 20k–150k volts while the current drops fits this behavior exactly, making it the best description. The other options don’t reflect how a step-up transformer operates: they either describe shorting the circuit, increasing current while lowering voltage, or leaving voltage unchanged.

The key idea is how a transformer changes voltage and current together. A step-up transformer increases the voltage and, as a result, reduces the current, because the power delivered (voltage times current) stays roughly the same aside from losses. In devices like stun guns, the goal is to deliver a high voltage pulse while keeping the current low enough to minimize lethal risk. That’s why the boosted voltage is described in the tens to hundreds of thousands of volts, with the amperage correspondingly reduced. Saying the voltage is raised to around 20k–150k volts while the current drops fits this behavior exactly, making it the best description. The other options don’t reflect how a step-up transformer operates: they either describe shorting the circuit, increasing current while lowering voltage, or leaving voltage unchanged.