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 subject’s 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. Gathered materials
2. Dropper held meter stick out vertically
3. Catcher hovered left thumb and index finger over the 20 cm mark on the meter stick
4. Dropper let go of meter stick
5. Catcher caught meter stick as fast as possible
6. Repeated steps 2 through 5 five times
7. Dropper and catcher switched positions
8. Repeated steps 2 through 6
9. Dropper held out meter stick vertically
10. Catcher placed left thumb and index finger on the 20 cm mark on the meter
11. Catcher closed eyes
12. Dropper let go of the meter stick
13. Catcher caught meter stick as fast as possible
14. Repeated steps 9 through 13 five times
15. Dropper and catcher switched positions
16. Repeated steps 9 through 14
17. Dropper held meter stick out vertically
18. Catcher hovered left thumb and index finger over the 20 cm mark on the meter stick
19. Dropper said “go,” and released the meter stick
20. Catcher caught meter stick as fast as possible
21. Repeated steps 17 through 20 five times
22. Dropper and catcher switched positions
23. Repeated steps 17 through 21
24. Recorded observations

Trial Sight Touch Sound

Name Asha Sarah-Jane Asha Sarah-Jane Asha Sarah Jane
1 53 cm 33 cm 27 cm 21 cm 52 cm 23 cm
2 44 cm 37 cm 31 cm 25cm 36 cm 30 cm
3 36 cm 28 cm 22 cm 33 cm 33 cm 22 cm
4 49 cm 41 cm 27 cm 34 cm 26 cm 44 cm
5 34 cm 30 cm 25 cm 30 cm 46 cm 25 cm
Average 0.432 m/ 0.29 s 0.338 m/ 0.26 s 0.264 m/ 0.23 s 0.286 m/ 0.24 s 0.386 m/ 0.28 s 0.288 m/ 0.24 s

5) Observations
6) Calculations

d = 4.9t2

Trial Sight Touch Sound

Name Asha Sarah-Jane Asha Sarah-Jane Asha Sarah Jane
Total length 216 cm = 169 cm = 132 cm = 143 cm = 193 cm = 144 cm =
2.16 m 1.69 m 1.32 m 1.43 m 1.93 m 1.44 m

Calculations d = 4.9t2 d = 4.9t2 d = 4.9t2 d = 4.9t2 d = 4.9t2 d = 4.9t2

0.432 = 4.9t2 0.338 = 4.9t2 0.264 = 4.9t2 0.286 = 4.9t2 0.386 = 4.9t2 0.288= 4.9t2

0.432/4.9 = 0.338/4.9 = 0.264/4.9 = 0.286/4.9 = 0.386/4.9 = 0.288/4.9 =

t2 t2 t2 t2 t2 t2

0.0882 = t2 0.0682 = t2 0.0532 = t2 0.0582 = t2 0.0782 = t2 0.2882 = t2

t = 0.29 t = 0.29 t = 0.29 t = 0.24 t = 0.28 t = 0.29

Average 0.432 m/ 0.338 m/ 0.264 m/ 0.286 m/ 0.386 m/ 0.288 m/
0.29 s 0.26 s 0.23 s 0.24 s 0.28 s 0.24 s

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

Sense Reflex Graph

0.35
0.3
0.25
Time (seconds)

0.2 Asha
0.15 Sarah Jane

0.1
0.05
0
Sight Touch Sound
Trial
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 subject’s (‘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 subject’s 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 subject’s 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 catcher’s 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.