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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.
  1. A current of 1 A flows through a 12 Ω resistor. What is the potential difference (voltage) across it, in V? → 12 VPrompt: V = I × R
  2. A 5 V supply is connected across a 5 Ω resistor. What current flows, in A? → 1 APrompt: Rearrange V = I R to find I.
  3. A 3 V battery drives a current of 0.25 A through a lamp. What is the resistance of the lamp, in Ω? → 12 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.
  1. A current of 2 A flows for 30 s. How much charge flows, in coulombs (C)? → 60 CPrompt: Q = I × t
  2. 240 C of charge flows through a lamp in 2 minutes. What is the current, in A? → 2 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.
  1. 150 C of charge flows through a lamp in 5 minutes. What is the current, in A? → 0.5 APrompt: Convert minutes to seconds first.
  2. How long does it take for 60 C to flow when the current is 2 A, in s? → 30 sPrompt: t = Q ÷ I

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

eurekami

Charge, current and time (Q = I t)

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    A current of 4 A flows for 10 s. How much charge flows, in coulombs (C)?

    AnswerC

  2. Question 2

    1800 C of charge flows through a lamp in 15 minutes. What is the current, in A?

    AnswerA

  3. Question 3

    How long does it take for 150 C to flow when the current is 5 A, in s?

    Answers

  4. Question 4

    A current of 1.5 A flows for 10 s. How much charge flows, in coulombs (C)?

    AnswerC

  5. Question 5

    1200 C of charge flows through a lamp in 10 minutes. What is the current, in A?

    AnswerA

  6. Question 6

    How long does it take for 45 C to flow when the current is 0.5 A, in s?

    Answers

  7. Question 7

    A current of 2 A flows for 60 s. How much charge flows, in coulombs (C)?

    AnswerC

  8. Question 8

    75 C of charge flows through a lamp in 5 minutes. What is the current, in A?

    AnswerA

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Answer key: Charge, current and time (Q = I t)

  1. 1. 40 C

  2. 2. 2 A

  3. 3. 30 s

  4. 4. 15 C

  5. 5. 2 A

  6. 6. 90 s

  7. 7. 120 C

  8. 8. 0.25 A