The Hall effect is a phenomenon in physics discovered by American physicist Edwin Hall in 1879. It refers to the production of a voltage across a conductor that is subjected to a magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of current flow. The spelling of "Hall" is pronounced /hɔl/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which represents an open back rounded vowel, followed by a clear /l/ sound. The proper noun "Hall" is also spelled with a capital letter to signify its importance as a scientific term.
The Hall effect refers to a fundamental and versatile electromagnetic phenomenon observed in a conductor or semiconductor when subjected to an applied magnetic field perpendicular to the current flow. It involves the generation of an electric field perpendicular to both the current direction and the magnetic field direction, resulting in a measurable potential difference across the conductor.
In more detail, when a current-carrying conductor or semiconductor is exposed to a magnetic field, the moving charges within the material experience a Lorentz force perpendicular to their motion, causing a charge buildup along one side of the conductor. This accumulation of charge creates an electric field that counters the Lorentz force, leading to a Hall voltage across the conductor, which is orthogonal to both the current and the magnetic field.
The Hall effect finds wide applications in various fields, such as magnetic field measurements, voltage/current sensing, and the study of electronic properties of materials. By measuring the Hall voltage, researchers can determine the nature of the charge carriers (electrons or holes) within a material, as well as their density and mobility. This effect is particularly useful in characterizing the behavior of semiconductors, allowing researchers to better understand and optimize electronic devices such as transistors and sensors.
Overall, the Hall effect serves as a key tool in investigating the interplay between magnetic fields and electrical currents, offering valuable insights into the underlying physics and enabling technological advancements in numerous areas of science and engineering.
The word "Hall effect" is named after the American physicist Edwin Hall. The effect was first observed by Edwin Hall in 1879 while he was a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University. He discovered that when a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the flow of an electric current in a conductor, a voltage difference is generated perpendicular to both the current and the magnetic field. This phenomenon became known as the "Hall effect" in honor of Edwin Hall's groundbreaking discovery.