What is the Difference Between Flux and Flux Linkage?

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The difference between flux and flux linkage lies in their definitions and the context in which they are used.

  • Flux refers to the quantity of magnetism passing through a surface. It is the amount of the field through a particular surface and is denoted by the Greek letter ψ. Flux is a fundamental concept in electromagnetic theory and is used in various fields such as electromagnetic, power and electrical engineering, and physics.
  • Flux linkage takes into account the number of turns in a coil of wire and the magnetic flux passing through it. It is the fraction of the outgoing flux from the source to the captured flux from the coil. Flux linkage is a more specific concept, important in electromagnetic induction and related phenomena.

In summary, while flux is the amount of magnetic field lines passing through a surface, flux linkage is the product of the flux density, the area of the coil, and the number of turns in the coil. Both concepts are related to magnetic fields, but flux is a more general concept, whereas flux linkage is specific to electromagnetic induction and related processes.

Comparative Table: Flux vs Flux Linkage

The main difference between magnetic flux and flux linkage lies in their definitions and how they are used in the context of coils and magnetic fields. Here is a table highlighting the differences between flux and flux linkage:

Property Magnetic Flux Flux Linkage
Definition Magnetic flux is a scalar quantity measuring the amount of magnetic field crossing a certain surface. Flux linkage is the growth of magnetic flux by considering several surfaces, such as the number of coils.
Equation Φ = BA, where B is the magnetic field strength and A is the area of the surface. ΦL = NΦ, where N is the number of coils and Φ is the magnetic flux.
Unit Magnetic flux is measured in Weber (Wb). Flux linkage is also measured in Weber (Wb).
Application Magnetic flux is used to describe the amount of magnetic field crossing a surface, such as a coil or a loop. Flux linkage is used to describe the growth of magnetic flux when multiple surfaces (coils) are considered, and it is often used in Faraday's law of induction to calculate the induced electromotive force (e.m.f) in coils.

In summary, magnetic flux is a scalar quantity that measures the amount of magnetic field crossing a surface, while flux linkage is the growth of magnetic flux when considering multiple surfaces, such as the number of coils. Flux linkage is often used in the context of Faraday's law of induction to calculate the induced e.m.f in coils.