A current I passes through a slab of metal in the presence of a magnetic field B. Between which two sides does a Hall voltage develops? Write the side with the higher potential first. The labels are: a and b the two sides on the left and right, c and d the two sides on the front and back, and e and f the top and bottom respectively.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Hall voltage develops between two sides perpendicular to both the direction of current flow and the magnetic field. In this case, the current is passing through vertically, from the front face (side c) to the back face (side d), and the magnetic field is in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the Hall voltage develops between sides a and b or between sides c and d, but not between sides e and f. The higher potential is on side a, where the current is entering the metal slab, and the lower potential is on side b, where the current is leaving the metal slab. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

A Current I Passes Through a Slab of Metal in the Presence