Investigating Reaction Time
Ever wondered why you're slower to catch something when you're tired? Reaction time is the gap between seeing something happen and your body responding to it. Your eyes spot the stimulus, send a message through your sensory neurone to your brain, then your brain fires back through a motor neurone to make your muscles move.
The classic setup uses a metre stick that someone drops whilst you try to catch it. The distance it falls before you grab it shows how quick your reactions are. You could also use online reaction tests for more precise measurements.
Your reaction time changes based on loads of factors. Practice makes you faster, and so does proper concentration. But distractions, alcohol, certain medicines, or even just being knackered will slow you right down.
Quick Tip: In exam questions, they'll often ask about control variables (what you kept the same) and why repeating the experiment matters for getting reliable results.