Lesson Plan

Resources → Subject Notes → Physics → Notes
Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Physics
Lesson Topic: understand that a magnetic field is an example of a field of force produced either by moving charges or by permanent magnets
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe magnetic fields as vector fields that exert forces on moving charges and magnetic dipoles.
  • Explain how electric currents and permanent magnets generate magnetic fields.
  • Apply the right‑hand rule to determine the direction of magnetic field lines around conductors and magnets.
  • Calculate the magnetic field strength of a straight current‑carrying wire using \(B = \frac{\mu_0 I}{2\pi r}\).
  • Analyse simple situations (e.g., charged‑particle deflection) to illustrate magnetic force.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • PowerPoint slides with field‑line diagrams
  • Bar magnets and iron filings
  • Straight wire setup (battery, wire, ammeter)
  • Worksheets with calculation and conceptual questions
  • Rulers and compasses for drawing field lines
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick visual of iron filings around a magnet to hook interest. Ask students what they already know about forces acting at a distance and link it to electric fields. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to describe, predict and calculate magnetic fields produced by currents and permanent magnets.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – Short quiz on prior knowledge of forces and fields.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Define magnetic field, vector nature, sources; introduce key equations.
  3. Demonstration (10') – Show field lines with bar magnet & iron filings and with a current‑carrying wire; apply right‑hand rule.
  4. Guided practice (12') – Pair work on worksheet: calculate \(B\) for a straight wire and predict force direction on a moving charge.
  5. Concept check (8') – Clicker questions on Biot–Savart and Ampère’s law basics.
  6. Summary discussion (5') – Recap main ideas, clarify misconceptions.
Conclusion:
Review the five key take‑aways, emphasizing the continuity of field lines and the two production mechanisms. Have students write one exit‑ticket sentence describing how to determine the direction of a magnetic field around a wire. Assign a homework task to solve three problems involving magnetic force on moving charges.