Hall effect

Definition

The Hall effect is the production of a voltage difference (the Hall voltage) across an electrical conductor when a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the current. It demonstrates the nature of charge carriers in a conductor.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Hall effect was discovered by Edwin Hall in 1879.
2. The Hall voltage is directly proportional to the strength of the magnetic field and the current.
3. The direction of the Hall voltage depends on the type of charge carriers (positive or negative).
4. The Hall coefficient, $R_H$, signifies the magnitude and sign of the Hall voltage and depends on the material's properties.
5. It is used in various applications such as magnetic field sensing, determining carrier concentration, and characterizing materials.

Review Questions

• What physical principle is demonstrated by the Hall effect?
• How does the type of charge carrier affect the direction of the Hall voltage?
• What are some practical applications that utilize the Hall effect?

Related terms

Lorentz Force:

The force exerted on a charged particle moving through a magnetic and electric field.

Magnetic Field:

A vector field surrounding magnets and electric currents, responsible for exerting force on moving charges.

Hall Coefficient:

A parameter that indicates both magnitude and sign of charge carriers in a material, calculated as $R_H = \frac{E_H}{J B}$.