Procedures: One person will hold a yardstick with a grip (This grip will be called Grip #1). Drop the yardstick to the partner's hand. The observer will record the distance the yardstick have traveled in the y-direction (y) in centimeters. The observer will do this process five times. Repeat the procedures, but this time the person will hold the yardstick with a grip that is lighter than the grip from the beginning of the experiment (This grip will be called Grip #2). To calculate the reaction time, assume the force of gravity (g) is 9.81 m s-2. Then use the equation (2 y / g)1/2 to find the reaction time (t) in seconds. Please note that measurement of the distance needs to be converted into meters.

Data Collection:

Distance the Ruler Have Traveled (y-direction)
Trials
Distance of Grip #1
(+/- 0.05 cm.)
Distance of Grip #2
(+/- 0.05 cm.)
1
29.51
18.03
2
26.08
15.36
3
17.33
25.52
4
16.92
19.36
5
6.52
18.82

Processing Data: Here is a sample of the math to find the reaction time: 29.51 cm = 0.2951 m Convert centimeters to meters. t = (2 * y / g)1/2 The equation to find the reaction time. t = (2 * 0.2951 m / 9.81 m s-2)1/2 Replace the variables with the numbers. t = (0.5902 m / 9.81 m s-2)1/2 Multiply 2 and 0.2951 m. t = (0.0601 s2)1/2 Divide 0.5902 m by 9.81 m s-2. t = 0.245 s Raise the number by the one – half power.

Reaction Time Results: The next page will show a table after doing all of the calculations for finding the reaction time.

Reaction Time Results
Trials
Reaction Time of Grip #1
(+/- 0.005 s)
Reaction Time of Grip #2
(+/- 0.005 s)
1