Reaction Time

Question 1

What is the independent variable?

Answer 1

Hand used

Question 2

What is the dependant variable?

Answer 2

Distance on ruler—> reaction time

Question 3

What are some control variables?

Answer 3

Same gender
Same caffeine intake.
Same age
Same dominant handed people.
Same position.
Same length ruler.

Question 4

What type of error might occur during this practical?

Answer 4

Random – the person could anticipate the fall.
Parallax – misread ruler

Question 5

What could you do to minimise the effect of errors?

Answer 5

Repeat the test a lot and remove anomalies find an average mean

Question 6

Write a method for this practical

Answer 6

1. Work with a partner to do this test. Choose who will be person 1 and who will be person 2.
2. Each of you should use your dominant hand to do this experiment. If you are right handed then your dominant hand is your right hand.
3. Person 1 sits down on the chair, with good upright posture and eyes looking across the room.
4. Person 1 puts the forearm of their dominant arm across the table with their hand overhanging the edge.
5. Person 2 holds a ruler vertically with the bottom end (the end with the 0 cm mark) in between person 1’s thumb and first finger. They will tell person 1 to prepare to catch the rule
6. Person 1 catches the ruler with their thumb and first finger as quickly as possible when it drops.
7. Record the number on the ruler that is level with the top of person 1’s thumb.
8. Have a short rest, then repeat the test several time
9. Record your results on a table
10. Repeat the test with Person 2 catching the ruler and Person 1 dropping it.
11. Record Person 2’s results on the table.
12. Use a conversion table to convert your ruler measurements into reaction times.
13. Make the change that you are investigating to change human reaction time.
14. Repeat steps 1-9 for each person and record the results in your data tab

Question 7

What are the advantages of using the ruler drop test?

Answer 7

Easy to carry out.

Question 8

What are the advantages of using a computer test?

Answer 8

Quicker to complete
Higher resolution.
More random

Question 9

What are the disadvantages of the ruler drop?

Answer 9

Requires two people
Requires conversion.
Lower resolution.
Error reading ruler

Question 10

What are the disadvantages of the computer test?

Answer 10

Technical issues