Meter Stick 1
Name ______________________________________________ Date _________ Period ______
Meter Stick Drop and Gravity
Purpose
After reading the lab, create your own purpose below:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Pre-Lab Discussion
Reaction time is the time it takes for a person to respond to a stimulus and perform an action.
Some people react quicker than others. Faster reaction time may help athletes, such as a batter in
a baseball game, or a boxer. A faster reaction time gives the batter a better chance to identify a
pitch and make contact. A boxer needs a fast reaction time to avoid and counter a punch from an
opponent.
In this lab, you will be determining the time it takes for you to catch a falling meter stick.
Since it will only take a fraction of a second to catch the meter stick, we will instead use the
distance it falls and work backwards to find your reaction time. By using the formula: dy = 4.9t2,
you can calculate and compare your reaction time.
Procedure
1. Partner A will hold a meter stick with the 0 cm end down. The Partner B will hold
encircle, but not touch the meter stick at the 50 cm mark.
2. Without notice, Partner A will release the meter stick. Partner B will catch the meter stick
as fast as possible.
3. Subtract 50 cm from the mark at which Partner B caught the meter stick. Convert this
measurement to meters. Record the value in meters in Table 1.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 so that each partner has 3 trials. Record all data in Table 1.
Data
Table 1 – Meter Stick Drop Heights
You (m)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
Reaction Time (s)
Partner #1 (m)
Partner #2 (m)
Meter Stick 2
Calculations (Show a sample calculation for each step)
1. Calculate the average height for each group member and record in Table 1.
2. Use the values from step 1, along with the acceleration due to gravity (g = 9.8 m/s2), to
find the reaction time of the person who grabbed the falling meter stick. Use the equation
below to calculate the reaction time:
√
Questions
1. How do you feel your reaction time compares to the class? What could you do to improve
your reaction time?
2. If you drop a cup from 1 meter (about 3.3 feet) how long would you have to react and
catch it before it breaks on the ground?
3. If a skydiver falls for 35 seconds before opening his parachute, calculate the following:
a. Wha is he iver’s spee af er he 35 secon s?
b. Assuming the skydiver left the plane with no velocity, what was the average
speed of the diver in flight?
c. How far did the skydiver fall while in free fall?
Conclusion
Did you fulfill the purpose of the lab? Explain 2 possible sources of error in the activity.