Human Reaction Time Practical Test

 

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.

Notepad icon

Equipment (per pair of participants, basic method)

• 1 x metre ruler
• Chair
• Table

Measuring Reaction Times Using a Ruler Drop Test

Method

 

  1. Preparing the Experiment
  1. Pair Roles
    • Students work in pairs.
    • One person is Person 1 and the other is Person 2.
  2. Set Up
    • Person 1 sits on a chair with the forearm of their dominant arm resting on the table. Their hand should overhang the edge of the table.
      • Dominant Arm: Right arm for right-handed individuals, left arm for left-handed individuals.
    • Person 2 holds a meter ruler vertically, with the 0cm mark positioned between Person 1’s thumb and first finger.

 

  1. Conducting the Control Test
  1. Preparation
    • Person 2 tells Person 1 to prepare to catch the ruler.
  2. Reaction Test
    • Person 2 lets go of the ruler without warning.
    • Person 1 catches the ruler as quickly as possible using their thumb and first finger.
  3. Record Results
    • The number on the ruler aligned with the top of Person 1’s thumb is recorded.
    • Repeat the procedure several times after allowing Person 1 a short rest between attempts.
  4. Switch Roles
    • Person 2 now becomes the test subject, and the procedure is repeated.

 

  1. Analysing Results
  1. Convert Measurements
    • Use the conversion table provided to convert the recorded ruler measurements into reaction times.
  2. Document Results
    • Record all reaction times in a suitable table for both Person 1 and Person 2.

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

Add to basket

Need some Biology inspiration and help?

Technical team
Check out our Biology blogs
How to videos

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.