Interactive Labs › Biology labs
BBiologyPhysicsS3 to S6Nervous system
Nerves lab: reaction time and impulses
How fast are you? Catch a falling ruler, measure your reaction time and discover how nerve impulses travel.
LevelS3 to S6 (and IGCSE, A Level)
TimeAbout 35 min
You used = ½gt², v = d ÷ t
PriceFree: no account
🎯 Aim
To measure reaction time and investigate the speed of nerve impulses.
You will learn to
- Measure reaction time with the ruler-drop test.
- Calculate time from distance fallen.
- Explain saltatory conduction.
- Describe reflex arcs and synapses.
🧭 What to do
- Tap Ready, wait for the ruler to fall, then tap Catch!
- Repeat ten times and read your mean reaction time.
- Choose a Neurone and change the Axon diameter.
- Read the time for the impulse to travel.
- Answer the questions with the class data.
- Write your conclusion and download your lab report.
📋 The data
Ruler-drop results of one learner.
🧠 Investigate: answer from the data
Type your answer and tap Check. Use 💡 Hint first; open the method only when you are stuck.
➕ Get more from this experiment
📝 Free
Print the worksheet (button above), download the data, and save your report. Teachers can project this page in class.
📦 Premium Lab Pack
1 000 RWF
- Practical worksheet: the ruler-drop test with left and right hands
- Nervous system problems
- Teacher guide and answer key
- Exam-style questions with marking scheme
👩🏫 For teachers
Use it as a practical when apparatus is missing, as homework, or as a project. Free lesson plans help you plan, teach and assess.
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