.Names:______________________________________________ Mr.
Rodriguez
Date: Change Your Life
LAB# __: Reaction
Time
PROBLEM: What can change reaction time?
Materials: Metric ruler Calculator
Procedure:
Reaction time is how long it takes for a
message to travel along your nerve pathways.
Theory:
In a high school physics classroom, there are 4 basic equations of motion:
vf = vi + at d = vit + ½ at2 vf2 = vi2 + 2ad v = d/t (when a=0)
In this activity, we focus on the second equation: d = vit + ½ at2
1) Copy the data table below onto a separate sheet of paper.
2) Have a partner hold a metric ruler at the end with the highest number.
3) Place the thumb and first finger of your left hand close to, but not touching,
the end with the lowest number.
4) When your partner drops the ruler, try to catch it between your thumb and
finger.
5) Record where the top of your thumb is when you catch the ruler. Make your
measurements to the nearest 0.5cm. Put this number in your data table as trial 1.
At any time if you do not catch the ruler in time, record this as .35m.
6) Repeat steps 2 to 5 three more times.
7) State if you think the ruler will fall farther if you catch it with your right
hand.
8) Repeat steps 2 to 5 four times using your right hand to catch the ruler.
9) Switch roles and drop the ruler for your partner.
10) Calculate: To complete your data table, calculate the time in seconds needed
for the ruler to fall. Do the following for each trial:
1) Multiply the distance in meters by 2. 2) Divide the result in step 1 by
9.81m/s2. 3) Calculate the square root of the result in step 2. Round all
answers to 2 decimal places. (d=1/2at2)
11) Find the average for each column. {Add 1-4 then divide by 4)
12) Answer all discussion questions (found on back of lab sheet)
Trial Left Hand Right Hand
Distance(d or y) Time (s) Distance(d or y) Time (s)
Ruler Falls (m) Ruler Falls (m)
Total
Average
Discussion Questions:
1) Which hand is your writing hand?
2) Did you catch the ruler faster with your left hand or right hand? Why
might this be so?
3) Why did you run several trials for each hand?
4) Explain why a message moving along nerve pathways takes time.
5) How might the results change if you did this experiment with a person of
70 years old? Why might this be so?
6) How might the results change if you did this experiment with a
professional athlete? Why might this be so?
7) Determine the speed of a motor neuron conduction in m/s. Assume that
the impulse in the motor neuron traveled from the back of your head to the
tip of your index finger. Thus, measure this distance to find d, then use
your reaction time t to find the velocity of the impulse. {v=d/t}
