Reaction Time Equation

Reaction time refers to how quick a person reacts to a particular situation. For example, when driving a vehicle and another car pulls in front of you, then you hit your brakes. A second or two can save your life. How quick you press your brakes depends on your reaction time. Some people are quicker than others. Reaction time also depends on mental state, physical condition, and any potential drug influence. If you are upset or ill your reaction time will be increased. Certain drugs like alcohol or marijuana increase reaction time. Some drugs like caffeine decrease reaction time. So, you should avoid driving under circumstances that increase your reaction time!

Trying to determine reaction time using a stop watch is impossible, because of the short interval of time involved. You can determine your reaction time with a mathematical formula and a meter stick.

Using the equation distance (d) =0.5 x 9.8 meters/second² x (t)² found at Equations of Motion from Wikipedia the free encyclopedia; reaction time (t) can be easily determined. The variables can be defined as follows: d=distance, t=reaction time. The 9.8 meters/second² is the acceleration of gravity. According to this equation, if reaction time is doubled, then distance is quadrupled! So, reaction time must be minimized in any potentially life threatening situation!

Determining your reaction time using the above mathematical formula requires two people and a meter stick. One person must hold the ruler vertically, while the one being tested must place his fingers around the lower portion of the ruler without touching it. Without warning, person 1 must drop the ruler vertically, and person 2 must respond by attempting to grasp the ruler. The distance that the ruler travels vertically can be determined by observing the start and stop points of the ruler. For instance, if the ruler traveled 8.0 centimeters, then d=8.0 centimeters. The 8.0 centimeters must be converted to meters, because the acceleration of gravity is in meters. The units must correspond. This can be done by simply dividing 8.0/100 since there are 100 centimeters in a meter. Dividing 8.0/100 is equivalent to 0.08 meters. Taking 0.08 meters and plugging this value into the equation gives the following: 0.080=0.5x9.8 meters/second²*time². Simplifying the equation further gives the following: 0.080=4.9 meters/second² x time². Dividing each side of the equation by 4.9 meters/second² gives the following: 0.016=time². Taking the square root of each side gives the following: 0.13=t. So, the reaction time is 0.13 seconds.

Quick reaction time can save your life! Avoid circumstances that can increase your reaction time.

Equations of Motion from Wikipedia the free encyclopedia, Wikipedia