Required practical : reaction time

• What is the method of carrying out an investigation into the effect of a factor on human reaction time? (Ruler drop & investigating caffeine)

  1. Student B holds a ruler above student A’s hand

  2. Student B drops the ruler

  3. Student A catches the rule as quickly as possible

  4. Measure the distance on the ruler

  5. Use a conversion table to convert distance into reaction times

  6. Student A drinks a caffeinated drink

  1. Repeat steps 1-5 at 10 minute intervals after drinking caffeine
• What is the independent variable of reaction time experiment?

  Caffeine or time awake
• What is the dependent variable of reaction time experiment?

  Reaction time
• What is the control variable of reaction time experiment?

  - same amount of sleep

  - same previous diet

  - age/gender of volunteer