Reaction Time Lab Report (The Scientific Method) ONE submission per group

Names: Asha Gordon &Sarah Jane Lokaisingh

1) Your Question: How do the three senses, sight, touch and sound affect a subjects reaction time? 2) Independent Variable: Senses Dependent Variable: Distance

3) Hypothesis (include if/then/because): If the senses touch, sight, and sound are being tested, then touch will be our fastest reflex, because our fingers will be able to react rapidly and we will then have a secure hold of the ruler. 4) Procedure: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. Gathered materials Dropper held meter stick out vertically Catcher hovered left thumb and index finger over the 20 cm mark on the meter stick Dropper let go of meter stick Catcher caught meter stick as fast as possible Repeated steps 2 through 5 five times Dropper and catcher switched positions Repeated steps 2 through 6 Dropper held out meter stick vertically Catcher placed left thumb and index finger on the 20 cm mark on the meter Catcher closed eyes Dropper let go of the meter stick Catcher caught meter stick as fast as possible Repeated steps 9 through 13 five times Dropper and catcher switched positions Repeated steps 9 through 14 Dropper held meter stick out vertically Catcher hovered left thumb and index finger over the 20 cm mark on the meter stick Dropper said go, and released the meter stick Catcher caught meter stick as fast as possible Repeated steps 17 through 20 five times Dropper and catcher switched positions Repeated steps 17 through 21 Recorded observations

5) Observations

Trial
Name 1 2 3 4 5 Average Asha 53 cm 44 cm 36 cm 49 cm 34 cm

Sight
Sarah-Jane 33 cm 37 cm 28 cm 41 cm 30 cm
0.338 m/ 0.26 s

Touch
Asha 27 cm 31 cm 22 cm 27 cm 25 cm
0.264 m/ 0.23 s

Sound
Asha 52 cm 36 cm 33 cm 26 cm 46 cm
0.386 m/ 0.28 s

Sarah-Jane 21 cm 25cm 33 cm 34 cm 30 cm
0.286 m/ 0.24 s

Sarah Jane 23 cm 30 cm 22 cm 44 cm 25 cm
0.288 m/ 0.24 s

0.432 m/ 0.29 s

6) Calculations d = 4.9t2 Trial Name Total length Sight Sarah-Jane 169 cm = 1.69 m d = 4.9t2 0.338 = 4.9t2 0.338/4.9 = t2 0.0682 = t2 t = 0.29 0.338 m/ 0.26 s Touch Sarah-Jane 143 cm = 1.43 m d = 4.9t2 0.286 = 4.9t2 0.286/4.9 = t2 0.0582 = t2 t = 0.24 0.286 m/ 0.24 s Sound Sarah Jane 144 cm = 1.44 m d = 4.9t2 0.288= 4.9t2 0.288/4.9 = t2 0.2882 = t2 t = 0.29 0.288 m/ 0.24 s

Asha 216 cm = 2.16 m d = 4.9t2

Asha 132 cm = 1.32 m d = 4.9t2

Asha 193 cm = 1.93 m d = 4.9t2

Calculations

0.432 = 4.9t2 0.432/4.9 = t2 0.0882 = t2 t = 0.29 0.432 m/ 0.29 s

0.264 = 4.9t2 0.264/4.9 = t2 0.0532 = t2 t = 0.29 0.264 m/ 0.23 s

0.386 = 4.9t2 0.386/4.9 = t2 0.0782 = t2 t = 0.28 0.386 m/ 0.28 s

Average

7) Organizing and Analysing results: Create a graph for your averages using a computer.

Sense Reflex Graph

0.35 0.3 Time (seconds) 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 Sight Touch Trial Sound Asha Sarah Jane

8) Evaluating: Write a conclusion below regarding whether or not your hypothesis was correct and if not, which sense was the most effective for catching the ruler and why. Also, include a source of error for each trial. To begin, the purpose of this experiment was to see how reflexes work when something is seen, heard or felt. A subjects (catcher) reflexes were tested with them placing their thumbs at the 20 cm mark of a ruler then using the senses of sight, sound and touch to quickly catch the ruler when it was released by the dropper. Three different methods were used in the experiment as a different method was used to test each sense. To test sight, the ruler was held vertically in front of the catcher, with the catcher placing their thumb and index finger at the 20 cm mark of the ruler without gripping it as they tried to catch the ruler quickly when it was dropped. The second test measured sound, with the dropper simultaneously letting go of the ruler and saying NOW as in the same position, but with eyes closed, the catcher tried to grab the ruler as quickly. The last test, which measured reflexes in relation to touch had the dropper again releasing the ruler, and the catcher again closing his/her eyes, but with his/her thumb touching instead of hovering around the 20 cm of the ruler. The hypothesis was accepted as it stated that if the senses touch, sight, and sound are being tested, then touch will be provide the fastest reflex, because our fingers will be able to react rapidly and we will then have a secure hold on the ruler. The results were that on average, when the subjects reflexes were measured when something was heard they released 0.337 meters of the ruler per 0.26 seconds. When reflexes were tested using sight, on average subjects released 0.385 meters of the ruler per 0.28 seconds. Lastly, when reflexes were tested using touch, on average the subjects released 0.275 meters of the ruler per 0.26 seconds. Therefore, the hypothesis was correct. There were three sources of error in the experiment, with the first source of error being that during the first testing of the subjects reflexes through sight the subjects were asked if they were ready, which prepared them for the release of the ruler; making the test inaccurate. Next, when the sound test was being performed other students were in the process of doing their tests. The noise of the classroom made for an inadequate experiment environment thus, making it strenuous for the catcher to hear the auditory signal. The last source of error in the experiment was that when doing the test on reflexes through touch, the ruler was not always held perfectly steady by the dropper which may have altered the catchers kinaesthetic perception when their thumb was on the ruler. In conclusion, the results of this test show that of sight, sound and touch, touch is superior in regards to ones reflexes, which can be applied to real life in situations such as, doing activities in Physical Education class or when doing exercises.