Reaction Time Experiment: How Fast Can You React?
How do I determine the reaction time of the student?
Considering the data provided, how can we calculate the reaction time of the student in this experiment?
Calculating the Reaction Time
Given that a meter stick dropped from rest falls 0.20 meters before the student catches it, we can use the formula h = ½gt² to determine the reaction time of the student.
Height (h) = 0.20 meter
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s²
Reaction time (t) = ?
Using the formula:
h = ½gt²
0.20 = ½ × 9.8 × t²
0.20 = 4.9 × t²
Dividing both sides by 4.9:
t² = 0.20 / 4.9
Take the square root of both sides:
t = √(0.20 / 4.9)
t = 0.2 s
Therefore, the reaction time of the student in this experiment is approximately 0.2 seconds.