What is the intended outcome of the secondary winding in an ignition system?

The secondary winding in an ignition system is designed to induce a high voltage, which is essential for igniting the air-fuel mixture in the engine's combustion chamber. When the ignition coil is activated, current flows through the primary winding, creating a magnetic field. This magnetic field then collapses when the circuit is interrupted, inducing a high voltage in the secondary winding due to electromagnetic induction. The high voltage generated can reach tens of thousands of volts, which is necessary for overcoming the electrical resistance of the spark plug gap, allowing a spark to jump and ignite the mixture. This process is crucial for engine performance and efficiency, ensuring that the combustion process occurs at the right time for optimal power generation.

Other options, such as increasing fuel efficiency, creating heat, or decreasing emissions, may be indirect results of proper ignition system function, but they are not the primary purpose of the secondary winding. The main focus of the secondary winding is to produce that high voltage needed to trigger combustion.