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Purpose:
Measuring your reaction time is not as difficult as you might
think, nor does it require any sophisticated technology. Having
your lab partner unexpectedly drop a metric ruler between your thumb
and pointer finger to catch and measuring this drop distance is
all the data you need to calculate your reaction time!
Setup & Procedure:
| Position your fingers in front of you in a pinch formation.
Measure the distance between your thumb and pointer finger
and lock it at 3 centimeters. Have your partner hold the metric
ruler level with the top of your pinching fingers between
the 3 centimeter gap. Make sure the ruler is verical with
the zero centimeter marking pointed downward. Your partner
must unexpectedly drop the ruler this way, 3 times for each
hand. Pinch grab it as fast as you can just when you see it
falling. DON'T ANTICIPATE! Record the distance it falls
(converting from centimeters to meters). |
 |
Data:
| Left Hand |
distance (meters) range: .01 - .30 |
| Trial 1 |
|
| Trial 2 |
|
| Trial 3 |
|
| Average (Trial 1 + 2 + 3)/3 |
|
| Right Hand |
distance (meters) range: .01 - .30 |
| Trial 1 |
|
| Trial 2 |
|
| Trial 3 |
|
| Average (Trial 1 + 2 + 3)/3 |
|
Analysis:
The equation we use to compute the distance an object falls
after a certain time is:
d=1/2 a t ^2
substituting 9.8 for a and solving for t we get
t = sqrt(d/4.9)
Use this equation and plug in your left and right average distances
to determine the reaction time for each.
Left Hand = ._ _ _ sec
Right Hand = ._ _ _ sec
Which hand is faster and by what %? (Show work)
Conclusion:
Finally, update your website with the details of this lab experience
including a descriptive summary, all data, calculations and % conclusions!
The instructor will grade this lab
web entry according to this rubric.
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