REACTION TIME

Time: 30 minutes

Grade Level: 4th - 8th

Objective

Students will explore what reaction time is and be able to find their reaction time.

Materials Necessary

• Centimeter Ruler
• Sheet with reaction times and distances

Teacher Background

The reaction time is the time it takes you to realize something happened and you have to react. If you are riding your bike and a dog runs in front of the bike, your reaction time is the time it takes to slam on brakes or swerve and miss the dog. Sporting activities also require reaction time. When you see a ball coming, you have to catch it or hit it. The time it takes you to catch or hit the ball is reaction time.

Procedure

1. Hold the centimeter ruler with the 0 cm end between your partner's thumb and forefinger. Your partner will catch the ruler.
2. Drop the ruler.
3. Look where your partner caught the ruler.
4. Look at the reaction times sheet and read the reaction time for the distance on the ruler.
5. Repeat this activity two more times. Find the average of the reaction time trials to get the reaction time.
6. Now switch places and repeat the same procedures and get the other person's reaction time.