Gauss’s Law for Magnetism


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           Gauss' Law for magnetism applies to the magnetic flux through a closed surface. In this case the area vector points out from the surface. Because magnetic field lines are continuous loops, all closed surfaces have as many magnetic field lines going in as coming out. Hence, the net magnetic flux through a closed surface is zero:

 The above figure illustrates that the net flux out of the closed surface is zero, but the flux through the open surface is not.

 Gauss' Law for charges was a very useful method for calculating electric fields in highly symmetric situations. However Gauss' Law for magnetism is considerably less useful.