Overview
The maxwell (symbol Mx) is the unit of magnetic flux in the centimetre–gram–second system of units. It belongs to the electromagnetic branch of the CGS family, commonly called the Gaussian system. The name honors the Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell and is found in older literature and some specialty fields.
Definition and conversion
By definition one maxwell equals one gauss multiplied by one square centimetre. In SI units the corresponding unit of magnetic flux is the weber; the two systems are related by a simple power-of-ten conversion. Typical equivalences include:
- 1 Mx = 1 G·cm²
- 1 Mx = 10⁻⁸ Wb (weber) in SI
History and naming
The unit was introduced as part of CGS electromagnetism conventions during the 19th and early 20th centuries when different practical systems for electrical and magnetic quantities were being standardized. It was named for James Clerk Maxwell in recognition of his foundational contributions to classical electromagnetic theory.
Uses and examples
Although the International System of Units (SI) now dominates scientific communication, the maxwell still appears in specialist contexts. Astrophysicists and solar physicists sometimes express stellar and solar magnetic fluxes in maxwells when working with legacy data or CGS-based models. Older experimental and theoretical papers in magnetism and condensed matter may also use the unit.
Distinctions and notes
The maxwell is part of the broader centimetre-gram-second (CGS) framework and should not be confused with the unit of magnetic field strength (gauss) or the SI unit of flux (weber). For background on the physical quantity itself, see magnetic flux. For information about the scientist after whom the unit is named, see James Clerk Maxwell.