======Dropping Ruler Reaction Time======


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**Alternative titles:** Measuring Reaction Time, Catch the Falling Ruler 
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Prepare reaction timers by attaching a printed template to stiff card or taping it to a ruler.  
  - Have students form pairs. One student holds the ruler vertically at the top, letting it hang down.  
  - The second student positions their hand near the bottom of the ruler, ready to catch it but not touching.  
  - The first student drops the ruler at a random time within 5 seconds.  
  - The second student attempts to catch the ruler as quickly as possible.  
  - Record the distance at which the ruler was caught and use the conversion chart to determine reaction time.  
  - Repeat 3–5 times, varying the drop timing, then switch hands.  
  - Swap roles so both students get tested.  
  - Compare results for dominant and non-dominant hands.  




====Links==== 
Reaction Time: The Ruler Drop Test Experiment (muscle memory / science project) - Kids Fun Science: 
{{youtube>kwXr8odzDvY?}}\\

Testing Reaction Time with Ruler Drop - 
John Biegun: 
{{youtube>Ep9Xg5Ce63o?}}\\

📄 Reaction Time Ruler - Science World: [[https://www.scienceworld.ca/resource/reaction-time-ruler/]]\\

📄 Reaction time test - NSW Government Eduction: [[https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/mathematics/mathematics-curriculum-resources-k-12/thinking-mathematically-resources/mathematics-s3-reaction-time-test]]\\

====Variations====
  * Try with candy bars or long snacks instead of rulers, rewarding the fastest reaction.  
  * Test whether athletes or musicians have faster reaction times.  
  * Measure reaction times using peripheral vision instead of direct vision.  
  * Create a longer reaction timer to measure slower responses.  




====Safety Precautions====
  * Ensure rulers or objects used are lightweight and not sharp to avoid injury.  
  * Students should keep hands clear of faces to avoid accidental hitting when catching.  
  * Do not use glass or heavy objects as substitutes.




====Questions to Consider====
  * What happens in the body that allows you to catch the ruler? (Messages travel from the eyes to the brain, then to the muscles via the spinal cord.)  
  * Why might the dominant hand be faster? (The dominant hand uses well-practiced neural pathways.)  
  * How can practice improve reaction time? (Repetition strengthens neural pathways, reducing decision-making time.)  
  * Why is there a delay between seeing the ruler drop and catching it? (Time is needed for nerve signals to travel and muscles to contract.)  
  * Do people who play sports or instruments have faster reaction times? (Likely yes, because of enhanced motor control and faster neural pathways.)