#AKPHYSICS REACTION TIME LAB NAME:

Team Date:

Reaction time is the time between a stimulus and your response. Your nervous
system processes the stimulus before you are able to react, and the time lag is your reaction
time. Stimuli could be visual (sight), auditory (hearing), tactile (touch), olfactory (smell) or
gustatory (taste).

AIM: To measuring your reaction time when presented with visual, auditory and tactile
stimulation.

HYPOTHESIS: Before actually performing each experiment, predict what your reaction
time will be. Consider whether it will be the same for each type of stimulation.

The formula for an object falling at constant acceleration from rest is:
Δy = ½ at2

where Δy = the distance the object falls

a = acceleration due to gravity, 10
t = time of fall

Be careful to control your experiment! Don’t use more than one variable at a time.

PROCEDURE
The only equipment you will need will be a meter stick. Because the distance an object
falls is a function of time, you can measure the distance the meter stick drops and use this
to calculate your reaction time.
1. Your partner should hold the meter stick.
2. When your partner drops the stick, catch it as quickly as you can.
3. Record the number of centimeters the stick fell before you caught it. You may take
the measurement at the bottom, middle or top of your grasp, but BE CONSISTENT.
4. Take at least three measurements for each type of stimulus. Make sure you are
isolating only one stimulus, e.g. don’t watch the ruler if you ARE testing for
auditory response!
5. Repeat the procedure for each partner.

Once you have collected your data, convert the distance fallen to time. Include only
one sample calculation; the others can be done with a calculator. Be careful with your
units.
 OBSERVATION TABLE: Draw this table in your lab report.

predicted time (s) distance (cm) Observed time (s) average time (s)

0.160s trial 1 0.150s 0.136s

Visual 🡪 30cm
trial 2 0.130s
11cm
trial 3 0.130s
6 cm
0.150s trial 1 0.130s 0.126s
Auditory 🡪 22 cm
trial 2 0.130s
13 cm
trial 3 0.120s
12 cm
0.300s trial 1 Didn’t Finish Didn’t Finish
Tactile 🡪
trial 2 Didn’t Finish

trial 3 Didn’t Finish

CALCULATIONS: Show one sample calculation. Results of calculations in a table.

Distance should be in meters.

CONCLUSIONS: Address these questions in your conclusions.
1) Why did you find an average time? In other words, how is averaging useful?
We find an average time in order to analyze data points and in order to find a central value.
They can mostly be used to compare similar data to larger sets in order to find a common
trend. We can compare the data we found in this experiment which was for humans and
compare it to another species in order to find a difference or similarity between the two.
2) For which stimulus was your reaction time best? Why?
I had the best reaction time in trial of one of the auditory stimuli. This is probably due to
the fact that my brain can react and comprehend sounds quicker than I can visually. It can
vary from person to person. In my hypothesis, I predicted that I would have 0.150s for my
auditory stimulus. However, the actual data conflicted and proved that I was faster than I
thought.
3) What might affect your reaction time?
Your reaction time can be affected by how much sleep you get, how much you eat, or if one
is under the influence of other substances that can boost or inhibit your reaction time.
4) Could you improve your reaction time? How?
I think I can improve my reaction time by taking supplements or drinks that can boost your
energy such as using G-Fuel which helps people in the real world react faster to other
stimuli whether it's visual, auditory, or tactile.
5) How could reaction time introduce error into an experiment?
Reaction time is subject to error in an experiment due to the delay that occurs when the
data is taken. In our experiment, this occurred.
6) What kind of error do you believe occurred in this experiment and how can it be
minimized?
I think in this experiment there were plenty of random errors that were present in the
experiment. It could have been minimized by using other computers or high level
technology that would minimize the delay as much as possible and would decrease the
possibility of human error.

I forgot the team number but I was paired with Rudy and Ryan. Our test data will be the
same. We also didn’t have time to finish the tactile stimulus in class.