reaction time

Question 1

Typical reaction time and things that affect it

Answer 1

0.2 and 0.9s
tiredness, drugs , alcohol and distractions

Question 2

2 ways of measuring reaction time

Answer 2

computer based test
ruler drop test

Question 3

steps of ruler drop test

Answer 3

• The person being tested should sit with their arm resting on the edge of the table
• Person A holds a ruler vertically between thumb and forefinger, making sure 0 end of ruler is level with thumb and finger, Third person may be needed to keep eye level with ruler to check if lined up
• Person B (one tested) should try to catch it as quick as they can as soon as the ruler drops
• The reaction time is measured by the number the ruler is caught, the number should be read by top of thumb, further down the number = slower the reaction time

You can calculate how long the ruler falls for ( RT ) BECAUSE acceleration due to gravity is constant ( 9.8 m/s)

Repeat several times and calculate an average reaction time

Question 4

How to better the test

Answer 4

Ruler falls straight down + add modelling clay to bottom to stop it waving about

• variables such as same person and hand catching ruler = fair test

You should try to investigate some factors affecting reaction time

Repeats and calculate mean reaction time with distractions and compare it to mean reaction time without distractions