Page 139 - Big Ideas Year 10 sciPAD 2025

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SCIPAD - BIG IDEAS - BOOK 2
FORCES AND MOTION
Measuring Reaction Times
The New Zealand Secondary Schools Race Team is looking for a new driver. Training drivers is a
very expensive business, so the Team Manager wants to be sure she is spending the money on the
right person. A good race car driver has fast reactions.
While mucking around in the office, the Manager notices you seem to have fast reactions and
decides to test them.
Aim: To test your reactions against other potential drivers (members of your class).
Method:
Results:
Attempt Reaction Distance (cm)
Myself My Partner
1
2
3
Average
1. Outline three factors that may affect reaction times when driving and indicate whether
they increase or decrease your reaction time.
(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

Working in pairs, your partner
holds a 30 cm ruler vertically.
Position your thumb and
forefinger at the other end of the
ruler. Ensure your fingers are not
above the 0 cm line.
Your partner then randomly
(without giving any hints or
clues) drops the ruler.
You need to catch the ruler as
soon as you see it drop.
Record where your fingers
managed to catch the ruler.
Repeat this three times for both
yourself and your partner.
10 cm
1 2 3
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