Question

How is Hall voltage produced?

Answer 1

Hall voltage is produced when an electric current flows through a conductor or semiconductor that is placed in a magnetic field. Here's a simple breakdown of how it happens:

1. Current Flow: When a current (flow of charged particles, usually electrons) flows through a conductor, the electrons move in a straight line in the direction of the current.
   

1. Magnetic Field: If a magnetic field is applied perpendicular (at a right angle) to the direction of current flow, it exerts a force on the moving electrons. This force is called the Lorentz force.
   

1. Deflection of Charges: The Lorentz force causes the electrons to move to one side of the conductor (either the top or bottom, depending on the direction of the magnetic field). This results in a buildup of negative charge on one side of the conductor, and a deficit of electrons (positive charge) on the opposite side.
   

1. Hall Voltage: The difference in charge on the sides of the conductor creates an electric field, which is called the Hall field. This electric field causes a potential difference, known as the Hall voltage, to appear across the conductor perpendicular to both the current and the magnetic field.
   

The Hall voltage is directly related to:

1. The strength of the magnetic field (B),
   

1. The current (I),
   

1. The geometry of the conductor (thickness),
   

1. The type of material (its charge carrier density).
   

In simple terms, the Hall voltage happens because the magnetic field pushes the charged particles to one side of the conductor, creating a measurable voltage across it. This effect is used in devices like Hall effect sensors to measure magnetic fields.