Part B: Stopping Distance Reaction Time X Velocity + Braking Distance

http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/crystal/Grade%2010/Cluster%203/S2-3-11%20-%20Reaction%20Time%20%20Demonstration%20and%20Investigation.

doc

Part B

Individual Reaction Time Now that we have an understanding of what reaction time is, we will look at a way to
measure individual reaction time. This will be done using the Ruler Drop Test.
1. Hold your arm out in front of you with your hand with your thumb and fingers 2 inches
apart.
2. Have your partner hold the ruler such that the end is directly at the level of the open
space between your thumb and fingers.
3. Without notice, your partner will drop the ruler and you must catch it as quickly as
possible.
4. Use the formula below to calculate your reaction time:
catching.distence.( m)
Reaction time (s) =
5
The Investigation
The investigation we will undertake will examine the affects of different distractions on a
persons reaction time. This is important as reaction time contributes to stopping distance.
Stopping distance = reaction time x velocity + braking distance
Brainstorm as many different distractions to a driver as you can in the space below:
Of the distractions listed which of the following do you think you could simulate with
the following list of supplies? Circle them! (Remember that simulate means to imitate or
make a model of something, so it doesnt have to be the real thing but a way to show
the same effects).
- a stereo
- saran wrap
- a ringing cell phone
- your voice/ body
- safety goggles
- chairs and tables
- your lab group!
- things found in and around the classroom be creative!
Introduction to Fair Testing
What is meant by fair testing? Recall that a variable in an experiment is one of the
aspects that we can control by keeping the same each time or changing. If we wanted to
study one variable in particular, we would have to run the same experiment several times
keeping some variables the same and changing others. If we changed all the variables
each time we would not be able to identify which changed variable caused the different
results. A fair test is a test in which only one variable is changed at a time to see what
affect if has.
Alanna Walls
Fill out the following table to complete your investigation plan.
Investigation Plan
1. What is the purpose of the investigation? (What are we testing?)
2. What variable are we changing in the investigation?
3. How is that variable being changed?
4. What is staying the same throughout the investigation? (How are we

making this a fair test?)
5. Will you run a control test to compare the variations to? What will it be?
Alanna Walls
6. List the equipment you will need for this investigation
7. Method:
What method will you use to carry out your investigation? Explain the steps you will
take clearly so that another student could repeat the investigation the same way that
you did without needing assistance. You may use point form.
Alanna Walls
Data Collected
Reaction time =
catching.distence.( m)
5
Distraction or Influence on Driver
Trial
Reaction Time
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
Interpretation of Data
What does your data tell you about the relationship between distractions or
influences on the drivers reaction time?
Conclusion
Make a statement in a few sentences to summarize the experiment and your
conclusions based on your data.
Alanna Walls
Analysis Questions
1. Which investigated distraction had the most influence on the driver?
________________________________________________________________________________
2. How did your simulated distraction represent reality?
________________________________________________________________________________
3. Which variation least represented reality? Why?
________________________________________________________________________________
4. Explain how each variation you made distracted the driver.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
5. If you were to redesign this experiment now, what would you do to improve it?
_________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Alanna Walls
__________________________________________________________________________________
6. Why is there a reaction time? If we were able to eliminate all error and use the most
sensitive instruments for our measurements, we would still detect a delay from the
time we sense a stimulus to the time we react to it. Your trials likely showed you that
there is a limit to how fast we can react to a stimulus. Lets see if we can accurately
describe why.
In this box draw a picture to represent the path of
the signal in the ruler drop investigation.
7. Explain in a few sentences why we cant have a reaction time of zero.

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Alanna Walls
Criteria/
Score
Question/
Identification
of Variable
to test
Investigation
Design
Method of
Data
Collection
Data
Analysis:
Conclusions
and
Inferences
Alanna Walls
The variables
to be
investigated
have been
identified
clearly along
with the
identification
of the variables
remaining
constant to
create a fair
test.
The
investigation is
designed to test
the question in
an appropriate
manner. It is
well designed
and contains all
of the
necessary
components
outlined such
that the
investigation
could be
repeated the
same way.
Significant data
has been
collected in a
suitable
manner. The
data is
recorded
clearly and
appropriately.
The variables
to be
investigated
have been
identified
reasonably with
some
identification
of the variables
to remain
constant.
The variables
being
investigated
have not been
minimally
outlined as well
as unclear
identification
of those
variables that
will remain the
same.
The variables
to be
investigated are
not outlined
clearly nor are
the variables to
remain
constant.
No
attempt
has
been
made.
The
investigation is
reasonably well
designed and
contains all of
the
components
arranged
reasonably well
so that the
investigation
can be
repeated.
The
investigation is
a partially
constructed
test of the
question. The
order of the
components is
mixed up or
some are
missing such
that it would be
difficult to
repeat the
investigation
properly.
The
investigation
design does
not test the
question.
There is not
enough
information
presented to
repeat the
investigation.
No
attempt
has
been
made.
A reasonable
amount of data
has been
collected. The
data is
recorded and
organized
appropriately.
An insufficient
amount of data
has been
collected. The
data has not
been recorded
or displayed in
an organized
way.
No
attempt
has
been
made.
The analysis
questions are
completed
showing
thought and
effort. A
summarizing
conclusion
The analysis
questions are
mostly
complete. The
questions show
a reasonable
effort. The
summarizing
A minimum
amount of data
has been
collected. The
data is
recorded in a
way that is not
clear or
organized
maximally.
The analysis
questions are
minimally
completed with
a poor effort.
The
summarizing
statement is
The analysis
questions are
only partially
attempted with
poor effort.
The
summarizing
statements are
No
attempt
has
been
made.
statement has
been made that
is clear and
shows
conceptual
understanding
of the
principles
being
investigated.
Alanna Walls
statement is
reasonably
clear and
shows some
conceptual
understanding
of the
principles
investigated.
unclear or
shows little
understanding
of the
principles
investigated.
unclear and
show no
understanding
of the
principles
investigated.

Part B: Stopping Distance Reaction Time X Velocity + Braking Distance

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Part B: Stopping Distance Reaction Time X Velocity + Braking Distance

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Part B: Stopping Distance Reaction Time X Velocity + Braking Distance

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/crystal/Grade%2010/Cluster%203/S2-3-11%20-%20Reaction%20Time%20%20Demonstration%20and%20Investigation.

Fill out the following table to complete your investigation plan.

2. What variable are we changing in the investigation?

3. How is that variable being changed?

4. What is staying the same throughout the investigation? (How are we

6. List the equipment you will need for this investigation

Distraction or Influence on Driver

7. Explain in a few sentences why we cant have a reaction time of zero.

You might also like