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Activity 2.3.

2 Reaction Time
Introduction
Human reaction time is a critical consideration in aerospace system design and
operation. Reaction time is influenced by multiple human factors, ranging from
stimulus to complexity of the appropriate response. Common aerospace systems in
place today utilize both visual and audible indictors and are positioned within the
operator environment at precise locations in order to maximize reaction time.
In this activity you will investigate reaction time based on both visual and audible
cues. You will conduct individual investigations and create a classroom data set.

Equipment

Engineering notebook
Pencil
Metric ruler centimeters
Calculator

Procedure
During this activity both team members will test and evaluate their reaction time
using various scenarios. To facilitate the activity, both team members will serve
as reaction tester and reaction test participant. Team member #1 will serve as
reaction tester and team member #2 will serve as reaction test participant. After
the completion of all reaction test scenarios, team members will switch roles.
1. Team member #1 will obtain all required activity equipment.
2. Identify a team location on the perimeter wall of the classroom with at least a two
arms length distance between your group and any other group.
3. Team member #1 will position themselves with their back facing the perimeter
wall.
4. Team member #2 will position themselves directly in front of team member #1
facing the perimeter wall.
5. The reaction test is evaluated based on distance measurements obtained using a
metric ruler in free-fall.
6. After both team members are properly positioned, the reaction tester will
administer 5 trials each of four different testing scenarios. Utilize the following
table to record your teams testing data. Record data in centimeters and then
convert to reaction time.
7. Collect test data.
Testing procedure
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Aerospace Engineering Activity 2.3.2 Reaction Time Page 1

For each testing scenario, the reaction tester will hold the metric ruler within
arms length and eye level of the testing participant. The participant will position
their thumb and index finger around the bottom of the ruler. The participant
should not touch the ruler. Depending on the scenario, the tester will release the
ruler. The testing subject will attempt to catch the ruler using their thumb and
index finger. Once the ruler has been caught, the distance the ruler traveled is
recorded. Travel distance is the distance between the test participants starting
finger position and the finger position at which the ruler is caught.
Team member #1: Javier Prieto
Distance measurement (cm)
Scenario
Eyes open

Trial 1
20.32

Trial 2
17.78

Trial 3
12.7

Trial 4
33.86

Trial 5
15.24

Eyes closed 11.43

2.54

22.86

15.24

2.54

Eyes closed
with release
beep

10.16

10.16

20.32

7.62

5.08

Eyes open
with release
beep

11.43

11.43

8.89

5.08

10.16

Team member #2:Ian


Distance measurement (cm)
Scenario

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Trial 4

Trial 5

Eyes open
Eyes closed
Eyes closed
with release
beep
Eyes open
with release
beep
8. Convert test data into reaction time data.
a. Recall that distance traveled by an object can be calculated by
1 2
D=D o + v o t+ a t
2

2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.


Aerospace Engineering Activity 2.3.2 Reaction Time Page 2

b. Given the data collected as well as known initial testing data, the equation
can be rearranged to calculate time. Rearrange and simplify the equation
in the space provided below.

c. Convert all reaction data from distance data to time data. Make sure to
convert to compatible units.
Team member #1:Javier Prieto
Reaction time (seconds)
Scenari
o

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Trial 4

Trial 5

Average

Eyes
open

0.20364033
9

0.19048809
5

0.16099182
4

0.26287267

0.17635770
7

0.19887012
7

Eyes
closed

0.15273025
4

0.07199773
2

0.21599319
7

0.17635770
7

0.07199773
2

0.13781532
5

Eyes
closed
with
release
beep

0.14399546
5

0.14399546
5

0.20364033
9

0.12470373
1

0.10182017

0.14363103
4

Eyes
open
with
release
beep

0.15273025
4

0.15273025
4

0.13469542
4

0.10182017

0.14399546
5

0.13719431
3

Trial 5

Average

Team member # 2:Ian


Reaction time (seconds)
Scenari
o

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

Trial 4

Eyes
open
Eyes
closed
Eyes
2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Aerospace Engineering Activity 2.3.2 Reaction Time Page 3

closed
with
release
beep
Eyes
open
with
release
beep
9. Share your teams reaction time data with your class.
10. Record the classroom average reaction time for each scenario in the table below.
Scenario

Classroom average reaction time (seconds)

Eyes open
Eyes closed
Eyes closed with release beep
Eyes open with release beep

Conclusion
1 When designing an aerospace system that requires situational information
processing or reaction of information, what type of warning devices should be
utilized and why?
The warning devices that should be utilized when designing an aerospace
system that requires situational information processing or reaction of information
is a 1-hour gas timer that would calculate the amount of gas is left and inform the
pilot how much gas you have left and how much is needed to arrive at
destination.
2 During the reaction time experiment, you used your thumb and index figure to
catch the ruler. Would your data have changed if you used other appendages
(e.g., both hands)? Explain your conclusion.
Yes because due to the size of any other appendages it could resulted in different
data due to the mark where we should record the data weather its being the top of
either hand or bottom

3 Describe the importance of instrument and control placement as it relates to


reaction time.

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Aerospace Engineering Activity 2.3.2 Reaction Time Page 4

The importance of instrument and control placement as it relates to reaction time is


important because of the results given for example if if the control placement were to
change you would have to use another method to get to the result such as the result
gotten when catching the ruler with the eyes close without no warning to when the
ruler will begin to drop.

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Aerospace Engineering Activity 2.3.2 Reaction Time Page 5

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