1. Suspend the meter stick by a string from its center.

2. Notice carefully where it balances. It probably will not balance exactly at 50 cm. All distances must be measured to this point (called the fulcrum).
3. Hang a 200 g mass on one side and a 50 g mass on the other and adjust the distances from the fulcrum until the meter stick balances.(Be sure to account for the mass of the hanger from which you are suspending the masses. This can either be part of the total mass or, alternatively, if you are using something like coffee cups to hold the masses, their masses need to be matched perfectly before starting the experiment. You can do this by first checking to see how close they come to each other in mass and then simply add small weights, like thumb tacks or small paperclips to one cup to make the two cups have equal starting masses. Leave these "mass equalizers" in the coffee cup and now you have a matched set of mass holders to use for the lever. Now add the additional 200 g or 50 g to the cups as called for by the experiment. Disregard the actual mass of the coffee cups since they are matched.)
Measure the distances from the 200 g and 50 g masses to the fulcrum.
200 g: cm
50 g: cm
Repeat using a 100 g mass and 300 g mass.
300 g: cm
100 g: cm
Formulate a general statement concerning the relationship of mass and distance.
Repeat using two 100 g masses.
100 g: cm
100 g: cm
Does your general statement still hold?
4. Hang a 50 g and 100 g mass on one side of the fulcrum at two different locations and balance a 200 g mass on the other side.
Measure the distances to the fulcrum.
50 g: cm
100 g: cm
200 g: cm
Does your general statement still hold?
Form

Based on the given instructions, you are conducting an experiment to determine the relationship between mass and distance in a lever system. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to perform the experiment and formulate a general statement:

1. Suspend the meter stick by a string from its center:
- Attach a string or thread to the center of the meter stick so that it can hang freely.

2. Find the balancing point (fulcrum):
- Hang the meter stick and observe where it balances.
- Take note of this point, which is known as the fulcrum. It may not be exactly at the 50 cm mark.

3. Balancing the meter stick:
- Hang a 200 g mass on one side of the fulcrum and a 50 g mass on the other side.
- Adjust the distances of these masses along the meter stick until it becomes balanced.
- Make sure to account for the mass of the hanger (if any) when measuring the distances. This can be done by adding small weights like thumb tacks or paperclips to equalize the masses of the hangers.

4. Measure the distances from the fulcrum:
- Using a ruler or measuring tape, measure the distance from the 200 g mass to the fulcrum (in cm).
- Record this value as the distance for the 200 g mass (e.g., 200 g: cm).
- Repeat the same process for the 50 g mass and record its distance from the fulcrum.

5. Repeat with other mass combinations:
- Continue the experiment by using different mass combinations.
- For example, try using a 100 g mass and a 300 g mass, or two 100 g masses.
- Measure and record the distances of these masses from the fulcrum.

6. Formulate a general statement:
- Once you have completed the experiment with various mass combinations, analyze the results.
- Look for patterns and trends in the data you collected.
- Based on your observations, formulate a general statement regarding the relationship between mass and distance in the lever system.
- Determine if this statement holds true for all the different mass combinations you tested.

7. Testing the general statement:
- To further test the general statement, conduct one more experiment.
- Hang a 50 g mass and a 100 g mass on one side at two different locations (adjust the distances from the fulcrum).
- Balance a 200 g mass on the other side.
- Measure and record the distances from the fulcrum for each of the masses involved.

8. Verify if the general statement still holds:
- Compare the results of this new experiment to your general statement.
- Determine if the relationship between mass and distance remains consistent even with the different configurations.
- If your general statement holds true for this experiment as well, it strengthens the validity of your conclusion.

Remember, the general statement you formulate based on your observations should describe how the mass and distance interact in the lever system.