Flux vs. Flow — What's the Difference?

Flux describes any effect that appears to pass or travel (whether it actually moves or not) through a surface or substance. A flux is a concept in applied mathematics and vector calculus which has many applications to physics.

To move or run smoothly with unbroken continuity, as in the manner characteristic of a fluid.

The action or process of flowing or flowing out

To issue in a stream; pour forth

An abnormal discharge of blood or other matter from or within the body.

To circulate, as the blood in the body.

Continuous change

To move with a continual shifting of component particles

A substance mixed with a solid to lower its melting point, used especially in soldering and brazing metals or to promote vitrification in glass or ceramics.

To proceed steadily and easily

Treat (a metal object) with a flux to promote melting.

To exhibit a smooth or graceful continuity

A flow or flowing of a liquid.

To hang loosely and gracefully

The flowing in of the tide.

To rise. Used of the tide.

A continuing movement, especially in large numbers of things

To arise; derive

Constant or frequent change; fluctuation

To be abundant; teem

(Medicine) The discharge of large quantities of fluid material from the body, especially the discharge of watery feces from the intestines.

To move from one place to another in large numbers

The rate of flow of fluid, particles, or energy through a given surface.

To menstruate.

See flux density.

To undergo plastic deformation without cracking or breaking. Used of rocks, metals, or minerals.

The lines of force of an electric or magnetic field.

To release as a flow

A substance applied to a surface to be joined by welding, soldering, or brazing to facilitate the flowing of solder and prevent formation of oxides.

To cause to flow

A mineral added to the metals in a furnace to promote fusing or to prevent the formation of oxides.

The act of flowing.

An additive that improves the flow of plastics during fabrication.

The smooth motion characteristic of fluids.

A readily fusible glass or enamel used as a base in ceramic work.

A stream or current.

To melt; fuse.

A flood or overflow.

To apply a flux to.

A residual mass that has stopped flowing

To become fluid.

A continuous output or outpouring

To flow; stream.

A continuous movement or circulation

The act of flowing; a continuous moving on or passing by, as of a flowing stream.

The amount that flows in a given period of time.

A state of ongoing change.

The rising of the tide.

A chemical agent for cleaning metal prior to soldering or welding.

Continuity and smoothness of appearance.

(physics) The rate of transfer of energy (or another physical quantity), especially an electric or magnetic field, through a given surface.

A general movement or tendency

(archaic) A disease which causes diarrhea, especially dysentery.

The sequence in which operations are performed.

(archaic) Diarrhea or other fluid discharge from the body.

An apparent ease or effortlessness of performance

The state of being liquid through heat; fusion.

Menstrual discharge.

(transitive) To use flux on.

Movement in people or things characterized with a continuous motion, involving either a non solid mass or a multitude.

(transitive) To melt.

The movement of a real or figurative fluid.

(intransitive) To flow as a liquid.

(math) A formalization of the idea of the motion of particles in a fluid, as a group action of the real numbers on a set.

(uncommon) Flowing; unstable; inconstant; variable.

The rising movement of the tide.

The act of flowing; a continuous moving on or passing by, as of a flowing stream; constant succession; change.

Smoothness or continuity.

The setting in of the tide toward the shore, - the ebb being called the reflux.

The amount of a fluid that moves or the rate of fluid movement.

The state of being liquid through heat; fusion.

A flow pipe, carrying liquid away from a boiler or other central plant (compare with return pipe which returns fluid to central plant).

Any substance or mixture used to promote the fusion of metals or minerals, as alkalies, borax, lime, fluorite.

(psychology) A mental state characterized by concentration, focus and enjoyment of a given task.

A fluid discharge from the bowels or other part; especially, an excessive and morbid discharge; as, the bloody flux or dysentery. See Bloody flux.

The emission of blood during menstruation.

The quantity of a fluid that crosses a unit area of a given surface in a unit of time.

The ability to skilfully rap along to a beat.

Flowing; unstable; inconstant; variable.

(software) The sequence of steps taken in a piece of software to perform some action.

To affect, or bring to a certain state, by flux.

(Scotland) A morass or marsh.

To cause to become fluid; to fuse.

(intransitive) To move as a fluid from one position to another.

To cause a discharge from; to purge.

(intransitive) To proceed; to issue forth.

The rate of flow of energy or particles across a given surface

(intransitive) To move or match smoothly, gracefully, or continuously.

A flow or discharge

(intransitive) To have or be in abundance; to abound, so as to run or flow over.

A substance added to molten metals to bond with impurities that can then be readily removed

(intransitive) To hang loosely and wave.

Excessive discharge of liquid from a cavity or organ (as in watery diarrhea)

(intransitive) To rise, as the tide; opposed to ebb.

A state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event) preceding the establishment of a new direction of action;

To arrange (text in a wordprocessor, etc.) so that it wraps neatly into a designated space; to reflow.

The lines of force surrounding a permanent magnet or a moving charged particle

(transitive) To cover with water or other liquid; to overflow; to inundate; to flood.

(physics) the number of flux changes per unit area

(transitive) To cover with varnish.

In constant change;

(intransitive) To discharge excessive blood from the uterus.

Move or progress freely as if in a stream;

To move with a continual change of place among the particles or parts, as a fluid; to change place or circulate, as a liquid; as, rivers flow from springs and lakes; tears flow from the eyes.

Become liquid or fluid when heated;

To become liquid; to melt.

Mix together different elements;

To proceed; to issue forth; as, wealth flows from industry and economy.

To glide along smoothly, without harshness or asperties; as, a flowing period; flowing numbers; to sound smoothly to the ear; to be uttered easily.

To have or be in abundance; to abound; to full, so as to run or flow over; to be copious.

To hang loose and waving; as, a flowing mantle; flowing locks.

To rise, as the tide; - opposed to ebb; as, the tide flows twice in twenty-four hours.

To discharge blood in excess from the uterus.

To cover with water or other liquid; to overflow; to inundate; to flood.

To cover with varnish.

A stream of water or other fluid; a current; as, a flow of water; a flow of blood.

A continuous movement of something abundant; as, a flow of words.

Any gentle, gradual movement or procedure of thought, diction, music, or the like, resembling the quiet, steady movement of a river; a stream.

The tidal setting in of the water from the ocean to the shore. See Ebb and flow, under Ebb.

A low-lying piece of watery land; - called also flow moss and flow bog.

The motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

The amount of fluid that flows in a given time

The act of flowing or streaming; continuous progression

Any uninterrupted stream or discharge

Something that resembles a flowing stream in moving continuously;

Dominant course (suggestive of running water) of successive events or ideas;

The monthly discharge of blood from the uterus of nonpregnant women from puberty to menopause;

Move or progress freely as if in a stream;

Move along, of liquids;

Cause to flow;

Be abundantly present;

Fall or flow in a certain way;

Cover or swamp with water

Undergo menstruation;