Science lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 60 minutes
Charge, current and time (Q = I t)
Electricity and magnetism
CCSS NGSS.HS-PS3-1England: GCSE Combined Science: Electricity
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Charge, current and time (Q = I t).
- 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 · 6 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 12 Ω resistor. What is the potential difference (voltage) across it, in V? → 18 VPrompt: V = I × R
- A 10 V supply is connected across a 5 Ω resistor. What current flows, in A? → 2 APrompt: Rearrange V = I R to find I.
- A 10 V battery drives a current of 2 A through a lamp. What is the resistance of the lamp, in Ω? → 5 ΩPrompt: R = V ÷ I
Hook · 6 min
- Show a circuit with a gap and ask why the bulb doesn't light.
- Share the objective: Charge, current and time (Q = I t). Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 12 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: A current of 1.5 A flows for 120 s. How much charge flows, in coulombs (C)?
- Step 1: 1.5 × 120 = 180
- Step 2: So the answer is: 180 C
- Answer: 180 C
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 12 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- A current of 5 A flows for 20 s. How much charge flows, in coulombs (C)? → 100 CPrompt: Q = I × t
- 225 C of charge flows through a lamp in 15 minutes. What is the current, in A? → 0.25 APrompt: Convert minutes to seconds first.
You do: independent practice · 17 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- 240 C of charge flows through a lamp in 2 minutes. What is the current, in A? → 2 APrompt: Convert minutes to seconds first.
- A current of 5 A flows for 30 s. How much charge flows, in coulombs (C)? → 150 CPrompt: Q = I × t
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