How Fast Are You?

Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
This activity is designed to let learners measure their reaction time or response time to something they see. Learners work in pairs and measure the speed it takes them to catch a ruler dropped by their partner. Learners use a table to convert the distance measured on the ruler to reaction time. Learners can calculate more reaction time using the algebraic formulas provided. Learners can expand on this activity by comparing the speed of an entire group, boys vs. girls, kids vs. parents, etc. This activity is one of several activities featured on this webpage related to human reflexes.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
free per student
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 18
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • Ruler or yardstick or long candy bar (give the candy bar to the person with the fastest reaction time)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Life Sciences
    • Human Body
      • The Brain and Nervous System
      • Muscles and Skin
    • Human Senses and Perception
      • Vision
      • Perception
  • Mathematics
    • Algebra
      • Variables and Expressions
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
      • Data Representation
    • Measurement
      • Rate
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Acceleration
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Chudler Ph.D., Eric

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Eric H. Chudler, 2009