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?
Formulate a general statement concerning this case.
To answer the question regarding the relationship between mass and distance in this experiment, we need to follow the steps provided and analyze the results. Here's the breakdown:
1. Suspend the meter stick by a string from its center.
Start by suspending the meter stick using a string attached to its center point.
2. Notice where it balances.
Carefully observe where the meter stick balances. It may not balance exactly at the 50 cm mark, so remember this point (fulcrum) for further measurements.
3. Hang a 200 g mass on one side and a 50 g mass on the other.
Hang a 200 g mass on one side of the meter stick and a 50 g mass on the other side. Adjust the distances from the fulcrum until the meter stick balances again. Take into account the mass of the hanger or any additional objects used to hold the masses.
- Measure the distance from the 200 g mass to the fulcrum.
- Measure the distance from the 50 g mass to the fulcrum.
Record these measurements in cm.
Repeat the above steps using a 100 g mass and a 300 g mass:
- Measure the distance from the 300 g mass to the fulcrum.
- Measure the distance from the 100 g mass to the fulcrum.
Record these measurements in cm.
Formulate a general statement concerning the relationship of mass and distance:
Analyze the measurements and observe if there is a consistent pattern. Determine whether the mass and the distance from the fulcrum are directly proportional, inversely proportional, or have no relationship.
Repeat the experiment using two 100 g masses:
Hang two 100 g masses 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 for each mass.
- Measure the distance from the first 100 g mass to the fulcrum.
- Measure the distance from the second 100 g mass to the fulcrum.
- Measure the distance from the 200 g mass to the fulcrum.
Record these measurements in cm.
Check if your previous general statement still holds for this case.
Formulate a general statement concerning this case:
Based on the results obtained, analyze the relationship between the masses and the distances in this scenario. Determine if the mass and the distance from the fulcrum follow a consistent pattern, which may or may not be the same as the previous general statement.
By following these steps and analyzing the measurements, you can answer the question and formulate the general statements about the relationship of mass and distance in the given experiment.