reaction time

• What should you be able to describe by the end of the video on measuring reaction time?

  How to measure a person's reaction time
• What is the method for measuring a person's reaction time?

  • Two people work together
  • Person 1 sits on a stool with good posture
  • Person 1 places their dominant arm across the table
  • Person 2 holds a ruler vertically
  • Ruler is dropped at a random time
  • Person 1 catches the ruler with thumb and first finger
  • Measurement is recorded at the top of Person 1's thumb
  • Test is repeated several times to calculate a mean
• What position should Person 1 be in during the reaction time test?

  Person 1 should sit on a stool with good upright posture
• What does Person 2 do with the ruler before dropping it?

  Holds it vertically with the zero centimeter mark between Person 1's thumb and first finger
• How does Person 1 catch the ruler?

  With their thumb and first finger as quickly as possible when it drops
• What is recorded after Person 1 catches the ruler?

  The measurement on the ruler at the level of the top of Person 1's thumb
• Why is it important for Person 1 to have a short rest after each test?

  To ensure accurate measurement in subsequent trials
• What should be done after the initial tests are completed?

  The two people should switch places
• What is the independent variable in this experiment?

  The person having their reaction time tested
• What is the dependent variable in this experiment?

  The reaction time
• What are control variables in the reaction time experiment?

  • Distance between thumb and first finger should be constant
  • Ruler measurement should always be at the top of the thumb
  • Room conditions (lighting and background noise) should remain the same
• What could happen if control variables are not maintained in the experiment?

  It could affect the dependent variable, which is the reaction time
• What are some other independent variables that could be investigated in this experiment?

  • Effect of practice on reaction time
  • Reaction time with dominant vs. non-dominant hand
  • Effect of chemicals like caffeine on reaction time
• How could practice affect reaction time in the experiment?

  Reaction time might become shorter with more practice
• How can the effect of the dominant hand on reaction time be tested?

  By conducting the test with both the dominant and non-dominant hand
• What is a potential issue when testing the effect of caffeine on reaction time?

  Other chemicals in the cola could affect the reaction time
• What should be checked before giving test subjects caffeine?

  That they have no medical issues affected by caffeine
• Where should the test be conducted regarding safety?

  In a lab where hazardous chemicals are not normally used