In power systems, what term is used to describe the opposition to the flow of magnetic flux?

The term used to describe the opposition to the flow of magnetic flux is reluctance. This concept is essential in the study of magnetic circuits, analogous to resistance in electrical circuits. Just as resistance impedes the flow of electric current, reluctance hinders the flow of magnetic lines of force. It is determined by the material's properties, the geometry of the magnetic circuit, and the presence of air gaps.

Reluctance is inversely related to the magnetic permeability of the material, meaning that a material with high permeability will have low reluctance, allowing magnetic flux to flow more easily. This understanding is fundamental in designing electrical devices like transformers and inductors, where efficient magnetic flux pathways are crucial for their performance.

The other concepts, such as admittance, impedance, and capacitance, pertain to electrical circuits rather than magnetic circuits specifically. Admittance relates to how easily current flows in an AC circuit, impedance encompasses both resistance and reactance in a circuit, and capacitance is the ability of a component to store electrical energy in an electric field. While these terms are significant in their contexts, they do not apply to the specific phenomenon of magnetic flux opposition.