Transformers that use mutual inductance rely on which principle?

Transformers operate based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. This principle entails the generation of an electromotive force (EMF) in a coil when it is exposed to a changing magnetic field, which is created by the flow of current in a nearby coil. The mutual inductance between the primary and secondary coils facilitates this process, allowing energy to be transferred from one coil to another efficiently.

In a transformer, when alternating current flows through the primary coil, it generates a varying magnetic field. This alternating magnetic field passes through the secondary coil and induces a voltage in it due to electromagnetic induction. The efficiency of this process relies on factors such as the number of turns in the coils, the material used in the core, and the frequency of the alternating current.

The other options do not explain the functioning of transformers accurately. While static electricity involves the accumulation of electric charge, this does not relate to the operation of transformers. Dynamic coupling is not a standard term used to describe the interaction in transformers, and resistive loss pertains to energy lost as heat due to resistance in conductors, which is an efficiency consideration but not a fundamental operational principle. Thus, electromagnetic induction is the foundational principle that enables transformers to function effectively.