Magnetic flux is a measure of the magnetic field lines passing through a surface, such as a loop of wire.[1] The magnetic flux through a closed surface such as a sphere is always zero, because the magnetic field lines going into the closed surface are balanced by field lines coming out.[2]
It is the alignment of electrons in the atomic shells of ferromagnets and the “spinning” electrons in electromagnets, that provides a material with it’s magnetism.[3]
The SIunit of magnetic flux is the Weber (Wb; in derived units, volt-seconds). The CGS unit is the Maxwell.
Magnetic flux is sometimes used by electrical engineers designing systems with electromagnets or designing dynamos. Physicists designing particle accelerators also calculate magnetic flux.
