Hall effect Experiment

HALL EFFECT EXPERIMENT

K.SURESH SENANAYAKE
B.Sc. (Hon's) Physics (Sp), Grad.IP (SL)

Hall effect Experiment

HALL EFFECT EXPERIMENT

Determination of Hall constant

Determination of the concentration of charge carriers
Determination of the mobility of charge carriers for Silver and Tungsten
Apparatus

Hall effect Experiment

INDEX
Introduction

01

Apparatus

02

Theory

03

Experimental Procedure

07

Observation

08

Results

09

Error Calculation

17

Conclusion

20

Discussion

21

References

23

Hall Effect Experiment

INTRODUCTION
Hall Effect
In any conductor carrying a current and under the influence of a magnetic field
component normal to the current, a potential difference perpendicular to both directions
is built up due to the Lorentz force acting on the charge carriers. This phenomenon is
called as the Hall Effect and the magnitude of this potential then so called Hall
Voltage. This effect was discovered by Edwin Hall in 1879.
Hall voltage depends on the magnetic flux density B, the current passing through the
conductor I and the distance between the reference points (thickness of the conductor) d.
Lorentz force
The force experienced by a charge moving in space where both electric and
magnetic fields exist is called the Lorentz force.
Suppose there exist an electric field E at a certain point in space. The electric
force Fe experienced by a charge q placed at that point is given by
Fe=qE
The magnetic force Fm experienced by a charge q moving with a velocity v in a magnetic
field B is given by
Fm=q (vB)
Hence the Lorentz force (i.e. total force) on a charge moving with velocity v an electric
field E and magnetic field B is
F=Fm+Fe
F= q (E + vB)
A charge q moving with a velocity v in a magnetic field B experiences a magnetic
Lorentz force
Fm=q (vB)
If the three vectors Fm, v and B are mutually perpendicular to one another,
vB = vB
The magnitude of Fm is qvB and it acts in the direction perpendicular to the plane of
vectors v and B, given by the right-hand rule.
Drift velocity (Vd)
Drift velocity is net motion of charge carriers (electrons) or the average velocity
of electrons.
Hall constant (Hall coefficient)
The ratio of the voltage created to the product of the amount of current and the
magnetic field divided by the element thickness is known as the Hall coefficient. It is a
characteristic of the material from which the conductor is made, as its value depends on
the type, number and properties of the charge carriers that constitute the current.

Hall Effect Experiment

APPARATUS

Hall effect apparatus (Silver and Tungsten)

Electromagnet (pair of pole pieces, two coils with 250 turns)
Ammeter
Multi meter
Micro voltmeter
High current power supply(0-12 V/0-20A)
DC power supply (20V/10A)
Digital gauss meter
Connecting wires
Meter rule
Vernier calliper

Hall Effect Experiment

THEORY
Consider the conductor carrying a current I and under the influence of a magnetic field
component B normal to the current.

Then the magnetic Lorentz force is given by

Fm = qVd B Where Vd is the drift velocity
For an electron q = e
Therefore Fm = eVd B
After forming the hall potential,

Hall Effect Experiment

Then there is the electric field E due to the hall voltage between the conductor and it
experiences the electric force
Fe = Ee
At the hall voltage
Fe = Fm

eE = BeVd E = BVd
VH
t
Where VH = Hall voltage
t = width of the conductor
E=

According to the mechanism of the current

The drift velocity is given by
I
Vd =
Ane
Where A = area of the current flowing
n = concentration of charge carriers (charge density)
Then
V H = BVd d

VH =
Since A=dt
VH =

BId
Ane
where d = thickness of the conductor
BI
dne

R B
VH = H I
d

Hall Effect Experiment

1
Where RH = ne

Hall constant
1
ne
By the gradient of the graph VH vs. I, the hall constant can be calculated.
RH =

If RH< 0 then the charge carriers are electrons

If RH> 0 then the charge carriers are holes
Concentration of charge carriers
1
n=
RH e
Mobility of charge carriers
The mobility of charge carriers is defined as a quantity relating the drift velocity
of charge carriers (electrons) to the applied electric field across a material.
Therefore it is given by the equation
V
= d
E
I
Since Vd =
Ane

I
AneE

I
dtneE

Since A=dt

Also E can be written as

V
h
Where V= the applied voltage across the plate (conductor)
h= the length of the plate
Therefore
hI
h
=
V =
I
dtneV
dtne
E=

Hall Effect Experiment

Since R H =
hR H
V =
dt

1
ne

By the gradient of the graph of V vs. I, the mobility of charge electrons can be calculated.

Hall Effect Experiment

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
DC power supply

Hall apparatus

High current
power supply

U-core

Micro voltmeter
Ammeter

1. The Hall Effect apparatus was fit according to the above figure into electromagnet
whose pole pieces are placed near the plate so as to keep the air gap where the
Silver or Tungsten is placed as narrow as possible.
2. The first, the Silver apparatus was connected to the U-core as shown in the figure
and the distance between two pole pieces was adjusted to 5 mm.
3. The current which passing through the electromagnet was adjusted to about 3.7A
by using high current power supply and digital multi-meter.
4. Then the micro voltmeter was calibrated to zero using the corresponding knob and
its scale was adjusted.
5. The hall voltage and the voltage across the strip were measured by increasing the
current which passing through the Silver strip as 2, 4,... 20 A.
6. The magnetic flux density was measured by using digital gauss meter.
7. The width, length and thickness of the Silver strip were measured by using meter
rule and vernier calliper respectively.
8. The similar procedure was repeated for the Tungsten strip.
Important
Before recording the any measurements the electromagnet should be demagnetized.

Hall Effect Experiment

OBSERVATION
For the Silver apparatus
I (A)
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

VH1 (without B) 10-4 (V)

-0.15
-0.33
-0.50
-0.67
-0.85
-1.03
-1.21
-1.38
-1.56
-1.75

VH2 (with B) 10-4 (V)

-0.14
-0.31
-0.47
-0.63
-0.80
-0.97
-1.13
-1.30
-1.47
-1.65

V (V)
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.9

For the Tungsten apparatus

I (A)
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

VH1 (without B) 10-4 (V)

0.54
1.06
1.59
2.11
2.61
3.14
3.68
4.22
4.83
5.47

VH2 (with B) 10-4 (V)

0.52
1.04
1.56
2.06
2.56
3.07
3.60
4.13
4.72
5.35

Thickness of the conductor (hall plate), d

Length of the hall plate, h
Width of the hall plate, t
Distance between two pole pieces, b
Magnetic flux density, B
Charge of the electron, e

=5.00 x10-5 m
=7.50 x10-2 m
= 2.00x10-2 m
= 5.00 x10-3 m
= 4.30 x103 G
=1.602 x10-19C

Least Count of the Gauss Meter = 1x10-6 T

Least Count of the Meter Rule = 1x10-3 m
Least Count of the venire calliper = 1 x10-4 m

V (V)
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.7
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.2

Hall Effect Experiment

RESULTS
Graph 01

Hall Effect Experiment

RESULTS
CALCULATION
For the Silver apparatus
VH1 (without B) 10-4 (V)
-0.15
-0.33
-0.50
-0.67
-0.85
-1.03
-1.21
-1.38
-1.56
-1.75

I (A)
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

I (A)
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

VH2 (with B)10-4 (V)

-0.14
-0.31
-0.47
-0.63
-0.80
-0.97
-1.13
-1.30
-1.47
-1.65

VH 10-4 (V)
-0.01
-0.02
-0.03
-0.04
-0.05
-0.06
-0.08
-0.08
-0.09
-0.10

From statistical method (using Origin 6.0)

The gradient of the graph 01 = m1 = -5.09 x10-7
But
R B
m1 = H
d
Where B =4.30 x103 G
d=5.00 x10-5 m
Since 1G = 10-4 T

B=0.43 T

Therefore
m d
RH = 1
B

10

V (V)
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.9

(VH1-VH2)=VH 10-4 (V)

-0.01
-0.02
-0.03
-0.04
-0.05
-0.06
-0.08
-0.08
-0.09
-0.10

Hall Effect Experiment

Graph 02

11

Hall Effect Experiment

5.09 10 7 5.00 10 5 m

R H =
0.43T

R H ( Ag ) = 5.918 10 11 m 3 C 1

Hall constant for Silver

Since the hall constant is less than zero the charge carriers are the electrons.

The concentration of the charge carriers for the Silver

n=

n=

1
RH e

5.918 10

11

1
1.602 10 19

n( Ag ) = 1.055 10 29 m 3 Concentration of the charge carriers for the Silver

For the mobility of the charge carriers

I (A)
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

V (V)
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.9

From statistical method (using Origin 6.0)

The gradient of the graph 02 = m2 = 0.04515

hR
m 2 = H
dt

hR H

=
dtm 2

7.50 10 2 m 5.918 10 11 m 3 C 1
5.00 10 5 m 2.00 10 2 m 0.04515

( Ag ) = 9.83 10 5 m 2 C 1 1

Mobility of the electrons for Silver

12

Hall Effect Experiment

Graph 03

13

Hall Effect Experiment

For the Tungsten apparatus

VH1 (without B) 10-5 (V)
0.54
1.06
1.59
2.11
2.61
3.14
3.68
4.22
4.83
5.47

I (A)
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

I (A)
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

VH2 (with B) 10-5 (V)

0.52
1.04
1.56
2.06
2.56
3.07
3.60
4.13
4.72
5.35

VH 10-4 (V)
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.05
0.05
0.07
0.08
0.09
0.11
0.12

From statistical method (using Origin 6.0)

The gradient of the graph 03 = m1 = 5.88 x10-7
But

R B
m1 = H
d
Where B = 4.30 x103 G
d=5.00 x10-5 m
Since 1G = 10-4 T

B=0.43 T

Therefore

m d
RH = 1
B

14

V (V)
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.7
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.2

(VH1-VH2)=VH 10-5 (V)

0.02
0.02
0.03
0.05
0.05
0.07
0.08
0.09
0.11
0.12

Hall Effect Experiment

Graph 04

15

Hall Effect Experiment

5.88 10 7 5.00 10 5 m

R H =
0.43T

R H (W ) = 6.837 10 11 m 3 C 1 Hall constant for Tungsten

Since the hall constant is greater than zero the charge carriers are the holes.

The concentration of the charge carriers for the Tungsten

n=

n=

1
RH e

6.837 10

11

1
1.602 10 19

n(W ) = 9.130 10 28 m 3 Concentration of the charge carriers for the Tungsten

For the mobility of the charge carriers

I (A)
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

V (V)
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.7
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.2

From statistical method (using Origin 6.0)

The gradient of the graph 02 = m2 = 0.06212
hR H
hR
m 2 = H =
dtm 2
dt

7.50 10 2 m 6.837 10 11 m 3 C 1
5.00 10 5 m 2.00 10 2 m 0.06212

( Ag ) = 8.25 10 5 m 2 C 1 1 Mobility of the electrons for Tungsten

16

Hall Effect Experiment

ERROR CALCULATION
Hall constant
md
RH = 1
B
ln R H = ln m1 + ln d ln B
R H m 1 d B
=
+
+
By integrating
RH
m1
d
B
Where d is given by the manufacturer so it is a constant then d=0
R H m 1 B
=
+
Therefore
RH
m1
B
m
B
RH
R H = 1 +
B
m1
Concentration of charge carriers

n=

1
RH e

ln n = ln R H ln e

By integrating

n
n

R H
RH

{Q for the maximum error}

Therefore

R H
RH

n =

Mobility of charge carriers

hR H
ln = ln h + ln R H ln d ln t ln m 2
dtm 2

By integrating

h R H t m 2
=
+
+ +

h
RH
t
m2

{For the maximum error}

h R
t m 2

= + H + +
RH
t
m 2
h

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Hall Effect Experiment

Error calculation for the Silver

m
B
R H ( Ag )
R H ( Ag ) = 1 +
B
m1
B=110-6 T {by using digital gauss meter}
m1=1.81810-8

{by the statistical method using Origin 6.0}

1.818 10 8 1 10 6
R H ( Ag ) =
+
7
0.43
5.09 10

R H ( Ag ) = 0.211 10 11 m 3 C 1

5.918 10 11 m 3 C 1

Error for the hall constant for the Silver

Concentration of the charge carriers

R H ( Ag )
n( Ag )
n( Ag ) =

R
H ( Ag )

0.211 10 11

1.055 10 29 m 3
n( Ag ) =
11
5
.
918

10

n( Ag ) = 0.038 10 29 m 3 Error for the concentration of charge carriers

of the Silver
Mobility of charge carriers
h R
t m 2
( Ag ) = + H + +
RH
t
m2
h

m2=0.00427
0.5 10 3

( Ag )

{by the statistical method using Origin 6.0}

0.211 10 11

0.5 10 3

0.00427

9.83 10 5 m 2 C 1 1
( Ag ) =
+
+
+
2
11
2
0.04515
5.918 10
2 10
7.5 10

( Ag ) = 2.18 10 5 m 2 C 1 1

Error for the mobility of charge carriers of the

Silver

18

Hall Effect Experiment

Error calculation for the Tungsten

m
B
R H (W )
R H (W ) = 1 +
B
m1
B=110-6 T {by using digital gauss meter}
m1=2.98410-8

{by the statistical method using Origin 6.0}

2.984 10 8 1 10 6
R H (W ) =
+
7
0.43
5.88 10

R H (W ) = 0.347 10 11 m 3 C 1

6.837 10 11 m 3 C 1

Error for the hall constant for the Tungsten

Concentration of the charge carriers

R H (W )
n(W )
n(W ) =

R
(
)
H
W

0.347 10 11

9.130 10 28 m 3
n(W ) =
11
6.837 10

n(W ) = 0.463 10 28 m 3 Error for the concentration of charge carriers

of the Tungsten
Mobility of charge carriers
h R H (W ) t m 2
(W )
+ +
(W ) = +

h
R
t
m
H (W )
2

m2=0.00346
0.5 10 3

{by the statistical method using Origin 6.0}

0.347 10 11

0.5 10 3

0.00346

8.25 10 5 m 2 C 1 1
(W ) =
+
+
+
2
11
2
0.06212
6.837 10
2 10
7.5 10

(W ) = 1.14 10 5 m 2 C 1 1 Error for the mobility of charge carriers of the

Tungsten

19

Hall Effect Experiment

CONCLUSION
Substance

Experimental values
n 1029
RH 10
10-5
(m3C-1)
(m-3)
(m2C-1-1)
1.050.04
9.82.2
-5.90.2
-11

Silver
Tungsten

6.80.3

0.910.05

8.21.1

20

Standard values
n 1029
10-5
RH 10
(m3C-1)
(m-3)
(m2C-1-1)
-8.9
0.66
-11

11.8

0.53

Hall Effect Experiment

DISCUSSION
There can be occurred some errors in this experiment.
The electromagnet is not demagnetized completely
There is no uniform magnetic field and it can be changed.
Resistance due to connecting wires
The temperature of the room is not constant
All equipments are not ideal
To minimize these errors it was got some activities as follows.
Before recording the readings, it was demagnetized the iron of the
electromagnet by allowing a current of approximately 5A a.c. which is then
slowly reduced to zero, to flow through the coils for a short time.

For demonstrating the proportionalities VH-I and VH-B and for precise determination of
the Hall potential VH, the Silver Hall Effect apparatus is most suitable.
Qualitative experiments with the tungsten apparatus require special care and skill of the
experimenter.
With switched on current which passing through the conductor, air circulation
may cause considerable zero point fluctuations (thermo voltages on the
measuring contacts for hall voltage).
Due to the higher electric resistance of tungsten, the thermal effects and hence
the zero-point fluctuations are higher than with Silver.

Concluding that for Silver the concentration of charge carriers, has the same order of
magnitude as the density of the atoms, a confirmation of the model of free electron gas
for metals.
With the knowledge of hall constant for a constant current how the
dependence of magnetic flux density and the current through the magnets coil can be
recorded in form of a characteristic B (Icoil); meaning that the hall effect can be used to
measure the strength of magnetic field.
By changing from the Silver apparatus to the Tungsten conductor and by
repeating the measurements, it is shown that the hall constant for tungsten is several
times greater and, ever more confusing at first sight, has the opposite sign than that of the
hall constant for Silver.
The assumption of a free electron gas does not hold true for non-monovalent metals like
tungsten, and both effects can be explained by the band model of conduction.
This by the experimental treatment of the Hall Effect, the theoretical basis
for the understanding of the conduction mechanisms in semi conducting materials is also
confidingly introduced.
21

Hall Effect Experiment

Technological applications of Hall Effect

So-called "Hall effect sensors" are readily available from a number of different
manufacturers, and may be used in various sensors such as fluid flow sensors, current
sensors, and pressure sensors. Other applications may be found in some electric air soft
guns and on the triggers of electropnuematic paintball guns.

Applications of Hall Effect

Hall Effect devices produce a very low signal level and thus require amplification. While
suitable for laboratory instruments, the vacuum tube amplifiers available in the first half
of the 20th century were too expensive, power consuming, and unreliable for everyday
applications. It was only with the development of the low cost integrated circuit that the
Hall Effect sensor became suitable for mass application. Many devices now sold as "Hall
effect sensors" are in fact a device containing both the sensor described above and a high
gain integrated circuit (IC) amplifier in a single package. Reed switch electrical motors
using the Hall Effect IC is another application.
Hall probes are often used to measure magnetic fields, or inspect materials (such as
tubing or pipelines) using the principles of Magnetic flux leakage.

22

Hall Effect Experiment

REFERENCE
Leybold catalogue:
Equipment for Scientific and Technical Education. (LEYBOLD-HERAEUS GMBH)
LEYBOLD DIDACTIC GMBH
Physics for class xii
Bajaj, N.K.
2nd edition
TATA Mc Graw Hill.
http://www.hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_effect
http://www.svslabs.com/pro1/2k.pdf

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