Science lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 30 minutes
Electrical power, charge and energy
Electricity and magnetism
CCSS NGSS.HS-PS3-1CCSS NGSS.HS-PS3-3England: KS4 Combined Science: Electricity
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Electrical power, charge and energy.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Current, voltage and resistance (V = IR)
Leads to: Power and energy in circuits (P = I²R, E = QV)
Materials: Circuit kits (cells, wires, bulbs), Circuit symbol cards, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Current, voltage and resistance (V = IR)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- A current of 1.5 A flows through a 5 Ω resistor. What is the potential difference (voltage) across it, in V? → 7.5 VPrompt: V = I × R
- A 8 V supply is connected across a 4 Ω resistor. What current flows, in A? → 2 APrompt: Rearrange V = I R to find I.
- A 8 V battery drives a current of 2 A through a lamp. What is the resistance of the lamp, in Ω? → 4 ΩPrompt: R = V ÷ I
Hook · 3 min
- Show a circuit with a gap and ask why the bulb doesn't light.
- Share the objective: Electrical power, charge and energy. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: An appliance on US mains (120 V) draws a current of 4 A. What is its power, in W?
- Step 1: P = 4 × 120 = 480
- Step 2: So the answer is: 480 W
- Answer: 480 W
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- An appliance on US mains (120 V) draws a current of 5 A. What is its power, in W? → 600 WPrompt: P = I × V
- A current of 0.2 A flows for 300 s. How much charge flows, in coulombs? → 60 CPrompt: Q = I × t
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- A 5 W device is used for 10 s. How much energy does it transfer, in J? → 50 JPrompt: E = P × t
- An appliance on UK mains (230 V) draws a current of 2 A. What is its power, in W? → 460 WPrompt: P = I × V
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Current, voltage and resistance (V = IR).
- Use concrete materials: circuit kits (cells, wires, bulbs).
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Power and energy in circuits (P = I²R, E = QV).
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-9.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder