Reaction Time

This week in Science Room 205 tested reaction times. One partner dropped the ruler and we measured our reaction time by seeing where we caught the ruler. Each student had ten chances to test their reaction time. What did you observe or learn through this experiment Room 205?

Team One:

"Your nervous system helps control your body. Your brain sends messages to
your body parts. Your eyes send a message to your brain. Your first couple of
catches will be slow, but then it gets quicker."

Team Four:

"You need to have your eyes open to catch the ruler. Each person reacts in a
different amount of time. Your brain has to tell your nerves to move your hand.
Our actions were voluntary."

Team 5:

"To catch a ruler is a voluntary response because you are focused. Your brain
sends a message to your hands. The nervous system is very fast because gravity
pulls the ruler to the ground within 1 second, and your body responds to it
within 0.5 seconds. Some people don't respond as quickly as others. "

Team 6:

"Everything happens in a split second. Reaction times are different for
different people. If one part of your body is not working, it keeps the other
parts from doing their job. You need to focus in order to catch the ruler"

Extra Credit Questions:

1. What body system controls your reaction time?

2. What communication path did your body have to take in order for you to catch the ruler?

3. Describe the difference between a voluntary response and an involuntary response.

4. What factors cause your reaction time to be different each time. In other words, what causes your reaction time to change each time?