flux
flux — noun
1. a situation in which something is changing continuously and has not yet reached
a situation in which something is changing continuously and has not yet reached a stable or settled condition.
The company's plans for international expansion are in flux while the board reviews the budget.
collocation: in flux
After the earthquake, the political situation in the region remained in flux for many months.
Technology evolves so quickly that industry standards are always in a state of flux.
Adina's career plans have been in flux ever since she finished her university degree.
The rules for the competition were in flux right up until the day it began.
- change
neutral, general term; less specific than 'flux' about ongoing uncertainty
- fluctuation
stresses irregular shifting up and down rather than open-ended change
- instability
focuses on lack of firmness or predictability rather than the fact of change itself
- uncertainty
emphasises the mental state of not knowing rather than the objective process of changing
文法句型
often used in the phrase 'in flux' or 'in a state of flux'
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the fixed phrases 'in flux' or 'in a state of flux.' Unlike many other nouns that describe change, 'flux' emphasises that the change is ongoing and that no final outcome has been reached yet.
常見錯誤
2. a steady stream of some material — for instance a liquid, gas, microscopic parti
a steady stream of some material — for instance a liquid, gas, microscopic particles, or heat energy — through a defined area, measured as a rate in scientific work.
Scientists measured the flux of heat passing through the walls of the experimental chamber.
pattern: flux of + [energy type]
The flux of water through the pipe was carefully controlled by an automatic valve system.
Élise studied the flux of particles escaping the distant star's surface.
A steady flux of fresh air entered the underground laboratory through the ventilation shaft.
The sensor detected a sudden rise in radiation flux from the reactor core.
- stagnation
a state of not moving or flowing
文法句型
flux + of + [substance/energy]
用法筆記
Primarily used in scientific and technical fields (physics, engineering, chemistry). In physics, 'flux' often has a precise mathematical meaning — the rate of transfer per unit area. The word is also used in fixed compound terms such as 'magnetic flux' and 'radiant flux.'
常見錯誤
3. a chemical substance applied to metal surfaces before soldering that cleans off
a chemical substance applied to metal surfaces before soldering that cleans off oxides and helps the melted solder to spread and form a strong bond.
Before soldering the wires together, Kian applied a little flux to each connection point.
collocation: apply flux
Flux dissolves the oxide layer on metal so the solder sticks properly.
Bao keeps a flux pen on his bench for delicate circuit-board repairs.
Without flux, hot solder forms droplets instead of bonding to the copper surface.
- soldering paste
a specific form of flux; not all flux is paste
- cleaning agent
describes what flux does, but is not the standard technical term
文法句型
[verb] + flux
flux + for + [material]
用法筆記
In electronics and metalworking, 'flux' is an essential material in the soldering process. It can be a paste, liquid, or a core inside the solder wire itself (called 'flux-core solder'). Do not confuse this sense with the general idea of 'flowing'.
flux — verb
1. to heat a solid material, especially a metal or mineral, until it becomes a liqu
to heat a solid material, especially a metal or mineral, until it becomes a liquid, or to become liquid in this way.
The furnace heat caused the scrap metal to flux into a glowing pool of liquid.
intransitive: [material] fluxes into [liquid]
Christopher fluxed the crushed ore in a small crucible placed over a very hot fire.
transitive: flux + [material]
At very high temperatures, the minerals in the rock begin to flux and separate.
The technician carefully fluxed the metal alloy before pouring it into the mould.
文法句型
flux + [material]
[material] + fluxes
用法筆記
This verb is rare in everyday English and is mostly encountered in technical descriptions of industrial processes. The much more common word with the same meaning is 'melt.' 'Flux' as a verb is used specifically when the change to liquid is part of a manufacturing or chemical process involving high heat.