Mutual inductance occurs when the magnetic flux produced by one coil links with another nearby coil. This induces a voltage in the second coil. Transformers use this principle, with the primary coil producing flux that links with the secondary coil. The coils have a property called mutual inductance M. Depending on whether the flux from each coil aids or opposes the other, M can either add to or subtract from the total inductance. Mutual inductance allows induction of a voltage across one coil through a changing current in the other.