Human reaction time: practical
I can predict, plan and carry out an investigation into the effect of a factor on human reaction time, and analyse the data to draw a conclusion.
Human reaction time: practical
I can predict, plan and carry out an investigation into the effect of a factor on human reaction time, and analyse the data to draw a conclusion.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Some factors affect human reaction time (e.g. the time taken to catch a ruler after it is dropped).
- Writing a testable prediction or hypothesis about the effect of a factor on human reaction time.
- Identifying independent and dependent variables, range of values to test, and which factors to control and how.
- Safe use of apparatus, and safe and ethical use of human test subjects.
- Interpret data from measurements of human reaction time.
Keywords
Reaction time - The time taken to react to an event.
Ethical - Something that is morally good and does no harm.
Variable - Something that can be changed, measured or controlled in an experiment.
Prediction - A scientific prediction is a testable statement about a possible outcome of an experiment.
Common misconception
Describing and identifying independent, dependent and control variables and following a method with care and accuracy are skills that take time to build and need frequent revisiting.
The variables in the practical and the method are outlined and discussed. Considerations on the ethicality of the experiment due to human subjects, and the presence of anomalous data, are also covered in detail.
Equipment
Ruler (30 cm or 1 m)
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.If an insect flies towards our eye, we blink to protect our eye. Which common life processes enable us to react in this way?
Q2.The system of the human body enables us to detect and react to changes in our internal or external environment.
Q3.A change in our environment that is detected by our nervous system is called __________.
Q4.The eye contains sensory __________ that detect light. This enables us to see an insect flying towards us.
Q5.When sensory receptors in the eye detect light, they transmit impulses along sensory in the peripheral nervous system.
Q6.We blink in response to an insect flying towards our eye. Match each keyword to the correct structure.
Muscles in the eyelid that contract to make us blink.
Nerve cell that transmits impulses from the CNS to the eye.
Structure in CNS, receives nerve impulses from receptors in the eye.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the correct definition of reaction time?
Q2.Some students plan investigations into reaction time in a human participant. Whose investigation would be considered ethical?
Q3.Put the method steps in order to describe how to measure the reaction time of a test subject using the ruler drop test.
Q4.The ruler drop test can be used to investigate reaction time. In one test, the person catches the ruler at a distance of 33 cm. Use the table to convert this result to a reaction time.
Q5.The test subject caught the ruler at 52 cm with their left hand, and at 59 cm with their right hand. Which hand had the fastest reaction time?
Q6.The test subject caught the ruler at 52 cm with their left hand, and at 59 cm with their right hand. What can you conclude about whether they are left-handed or right-handed?