Lesson Plan

Resources → Subject Notes → Physics → Notes
Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Physics
Lesson Topic: determine the direction of the force on a charge moving in a magnetic field
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the Lorentz force law for a moving charge and for a current‑carrying conductor.
  • Apply the right‑hand rule to determine the direction of magnetic force on a charge and on a wire.
  • Calculate the magnitude of the magnetic force using F = qvB sinθ or F = ILB sinθ.
  • Analyse common misconceptions about charge direction and angle dependence.
  • Solve problems that require identifying force direction on wires in uniform magnetic fields.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed handouts with right‑hand‑rule diagrams
  • Bar magnets, iron filings, and a current‑carrying wire set-up
  • Laptop with a magnetic‑field simulation app
  • Worksheet of practice questions
 Introduction:

Begin with a quick demonstration of a magnet deflecting a compass needle to spark curiosity about invisible forces. Review the students’ prior knowledge of vectors and cross products, then state that by the end of the lesson they will reliably predict the direction of magnetic force on moving charges and wires.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑Now (5′): Students answer a short question on vector cross‑product direction.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10′): Introduce the Lorentz force law and derive F = IL × B for a conductor.
  3. Demonstration (8′): Use a current‑carrying wire in a magnetic field; students predict force direction using the right‑hand rule.
  4. Guided Practice (12′): Work through the example problem from the notes, checking each step together.
  5. Collaborative Activity (10′): Small groups complete a worksheet with three practice scenarios, using diagrams to justify their answers.
  6. Misconception Check (5′): Quick polling on common errors (electron vs. conventional current, angle θ = 0°).
  7. Exit Ticket (5′): Write the force direction for a given I, L, B configuration on a slip of paper.
Conclusion:

Summarise the key steps for finding force direction and emphasise the role of the right‑hand rule with conventional current. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding, and assign a homework task to solve two additional wire‑in‑field problems using the formulas covered.