An electrical conductor carrying a steady direct current is placed in a uniform external magnetic field oriented perpendicularly to the direction of current flow. What is the physical origin of the potential difference generated across the transverse sides of the conductor?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Hall effect occurs when a current-carrying conductor is placed in a transverse magnetic field, causing moving charge carriers to experience a magnetic Lorentz force that deflects them toward one edge of the conductor. This accumulation of charge builds up a transverse electric field that exerts an electrostatic force countering the magnetic deflection, establishing a stable Hall voltage across the sides. Incorrect options reference Faraday induction or thermoelectric effects which require changing magnetic flux or temperature gradients rather than steady transverse fields. Hall measurements help determine the sign and concentration of charge carriers in semiconductors.