We calculate the forces acting on segments of rigid wires carrying constant currents and placed in a uniform magnetic field. This example entices the students to formulate, explore, and prove a conjecture, exposing them to an early example of a research-like project. The sequence of examples discussed here was literally born during an introductory physics class period dedicated to the calculation of the forces acting on segments of current-carrying wires placed in a uniform magnetic field. On that occasion, a series of interchanges between the lecturer and the actively participating students led to the formulation of a conjecture, its exploration, and its final resolution. The resulting lecture was then spontaneously turned into an introduction (of sorts) to research in physics.

Topics
Magnetic fields, Educational aids, Lectures
1.
These results may be found in any introductory physics manual. See, for example, Ref 2.
2.
This result is proven, for example, in R.A. Serway, Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics, 3rd ed., ext. version (Saunders, Philadelphia, 1992).
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© 2004 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2004
American Association of Physics Teachers
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