Lesson Plan

• Describe how a uniform electric field influences the motion of charged particles.
• Explain the relationship between field direction, charge sign, and resulting acceleration.
• Apply equations of motion to predict trajectories for parallel, perpendicular, and arbitrary initial velocities.
• Analyse energy changes caused by the work done by the field.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed worksheet with practice problems
• PhET or similar simulation of charged particles in uniform fields
• Diagram of parallel‑plate capacitor
• Calculator for each student
• Simple lab demo set‑up (charged ball and parallel plates)

Begin with a quick visual of a particle zipping between the plates of a capacitor to spark curiosity. Recall that students already know the definition of an electric field and the formula F = qE. Explain that today they will determine exactly how that field changes a particle’s speed and direction, and they will be able to show their work using the appropriate equations.

1. Do‑now (5 min): Write the direction of the electric field between two parallel plates and state the force on a positive charge.
2. Mini‑lecture (10 min): Introduce key concepts and equations (F = qE, a = qE/m) and discuss motion for parallel, perpendicular, and arbitrary initial velocities.
3. Demonstration (8 min): Show a video/live demo of a charged ball entering a uniform field and highlight the resulting trajectory.
4. Guided worksheet (12 min): Students work in pairs to solve problems for each of the three cases, using the component‑wise equations.
5. Interactive simulation (10 min): Students explore the PhET simulation, adjusting charge, mass, and initial velocity to predict paths.
6. Check for understanding (5 min): Quick concept‑question poll (clickers or hand‑raise) on misconceptions.
7. Summary recap (5 min): Teacher summarises the four main take‑aways and connects to energy considerations.

Review how the field direction, charge sign, and initial velocity combine to produce linear, parabolic, or mixed trajectories. Students complete an exit ticket describing one real‑world example of a uniform electric field affecting particle motion. For homework, assign a set of problems requiring calculation of final speeds and displacements for given field strengths.