Lesson 6.5.4.3.2

6.5.4.3.2 Reaction time Quiz: AQA Combined Science, Unit 22

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 6.5.4.3.2, Reaction time: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Combined Science (8464), Unit 22: Forces, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Typical human reaction times range from:

    • 2 s to 9 s
    • 1 s to 5 s
    • 0.02 s to 0.09 s
    • 0.2 s to 0.9 s

  2. Which factor is known to affect a driver's reaction time?

    • Tiredness
    • Road surface
    • Brake wear
    • Tyre tread

  3. How do alcohol and drugs typically affect a driver's reaction time?

    • Lengthen it
    • Shorten it
    • Stop it completely
    • Have no effect

  4. Distractions while driving affect:

    • The road gradient
    • Braking distance only
    • Reaction time
    • The vehicle's mass

  5. What is a common simple method used in class to measure human reaction time?

    • Light gate sensor
    • Stopwatch timer
    • Ticker tape timer
    • Ruler drop test

  6. In a ruler drop test, the ruler falls 0.20 m before being caught. The reaction time is about:

    • 0.04 s
    • 0.10 s
    • 0.20 s
    • 0.45 s

  7. In a ruler drop test, the ruler falls 0.45 m before being caught. The reaction time is about:

    • 0.09 s
    • 0.02 s
    • 0.67 s
    • 0.30 s

  8. A driver's reaction time is 0.5 s and the car travels at 12 m/s. The thinking distance is:

    • 6 m
    • 24 m
    • 12 m
    • 0.04 m

  9. Why are reaction time measurements repeated and averaged in a practical?

    • Makeing readings larger
    • Reduce random errors
    • Increase systematic error
    • Eliminate all errors

  10. If a driver's reaction time doubles at the same speed, the thinking distance:

    • Stays the same
    • Halves
    • Doubles
    • Quadruples

  11. Why does a tired driver have a longer measured thinking distance?

    • Icy road surface
    • Higher vehicle speed
    • Worn brake pads
    • Longer reaction time

  12. Why are multiple reaction time measurements needed instead of just one?

    • To change distance
    • To calculate average
    • To increase speed
    • To reduce mass

  13. (Harder) A car at 25 m/s has a reaction time that doubles from 0.4 s to 0.8 s. The extra thinking distance is:

    • 20 m
    • 30 m
    • 10 m
    • 5 m

  14. (Harder) A driver is distracted for 1 s at 30 m/s. The extra distance travelled before braking starts is:

    • 60 m
    • 30 m
    • 300 m
    • 3 m

  15. A driver's reaction time is 0.3 s at 10 m/s. The thinking distance is:

    • 33 m
    • 0.03 m
    • 30 m
    • 3 m

  16. Which two variables are needed to calculate a vehicle's thinking distance?

    • Distance and time
    • Speed and reaction time
    • Mass and speed
    • Force and acceleration

  17. Which equation correctly represents thinking distance?

    • Speed x braking time
    • Mass x acceleration
    • Speed x reaction time
    • Force x distance

  18. A measured reaction time of 0.9 seconds is best described as:

    • Below typical range
    • Upper typical range
    • Below zero
    • Impossible value

  19. Which quantity is measured in the practical investigating the effect of distractions on reaction time?

    • Braking force
    • Vehicle mass
    • Road gradient
    • Reaction time

  20. A measured reaction time of 0.5 seconds compared to typical values is:

    • Below minimum
    • Within typical range
    • Too fast
    • Too slow

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