Reaction TIme

Question 1

What is reaction time?

Answer 1

The time it takes to respond to a stimulus

Question 2

What factors can affect reaction time?

Answer 2

age, gender, drugs

Question 3

practical for reaction time

Answer 3

1) sit the person down with their arms resting on the edge of a table
2) Hold a ruler vertically between their thumb and forehand. Make sure the ruler is at zero in level with their thumb
3) drop the ruler without warning, the person should try and catch the ruler as quick as possible
4) write down the number on the ruler the person’s thumb got to.
5) repeat steps 1 to 4 three times and calculate a mean.
6) repeat steps 1 to 5 only this time get the person to drink a caffeinated drink before doing the experiment

Question 4

Why is a computer sometimes used to measure reaction time and what to do you

Answer 4

1) get someone to press a key or mouse as soon as a stimulus appears on the screen.
2) The computer is more precise than a human and can tell you the exact time the person pressed it
3) It is also unpredictable

Question 5

What variables should be controlled in the reaction time experiment

Answer 5

• The person, use the same person
• The hand, use the same hand
• The height, drop it from the same height as before
• caffeine