Human Reaction Time
Human reaction time
Plan and carry out an investigation into the effects of a factor on human reaction time
Students are required to plan an investigation into a factor and its effects on human reaction time. They should choose appropriate apparatus depending on the variables they have chosen. A basic method is outlined below which investigates the effect of practicing an event on reaction time. The procedure involves a ruler drop and catch exercise. The exam board provides a conversion table so that
students can calculate reaction time from the ruler measurements. The procedure could be repeated before and after drinking a caffeinated drink or could be conducted in silence and in the presence of background noise to see if there are any changes in results.
Equipment (per pair of participants, basic method)
• 1 x metre ruler
• Chair
• Table
Method
- Working in pairs, the students label themselves as Person 1 and Person 2. The first part of the test is to act as the control.
- Person 1 from the pair should sit on a chair with the forearm of their dominant arm across the table so that their hand is overhanging the edge of the table (Dominant arm: right arm if right-handed, left arm if left-handed).
- Person 2 from the pair holds the metre ruler vertically so that the bottom end (0cm) is in between Person 1’s thumb and first finger. Person 2 should tell Person 1 to get ready to catch the ruler.
- Person 1 should catch the ruler with their thumb and first finger as quickly as possible when Person 2 let’s go of it.
- The number on the ruler that is level with the top of Person 1’s thumb should be recorded in a suitable table.
- The participants are then to have a short rest and repeat the procedure several times.
- Repeat the whole procedure to obtain the results for Person 2.
- Students then use the conversion table provided by the exam board to convert the measurements into reaction times.
Technician tips
• Values from the conversion table could be marked on a strip of tape on the metre rulers, to save students some time when looking up their values.
To do this practical, you will need
Horizontal Reading Metre Ruler, Both Edges Divided - Pack of 10
B8R01897
£31.90
£38.28 inc VAT
Need some Biology inspiration and help?
Undertake the required practical for human reaction time for GCSE biology lessons, including method and equipment. The practical involves a ruler drop and a catch exercise to investigate the time given to catch the ruler before a caffeinated drink and after the caffeinated drink. Shop our high-quality metre ruler for this practical. Browse Philip Harris for more school science equipment.
