6. A person who weighs 600 N is standing on a scale in an elevator. The elevator isidentical in both cases. In both cases the elevator is moving downward, but in Case A itis accelerating upward and in Case B it is accelerating downward. Will the scale readingbe (a) greater in case A, (b) greater in case B, or (c) the same in both cases? Explain.
Physics · High School · Sun Jan 24 2021
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In Case A, where the elevator is accelerating upward while the person is moving downward, the apparent weight experienced by the person will be greater than the actual weight. This is because the upward acceleration is adding to the gravitational force acting on the person.
In Case B, where the elevator is accelerating downward while the person is moving downward, the apparent weight experienced by the person will be less than the actual weight. This is because the downward acceleration is partially opposing the gravitational force acting on the person.
So, the scale reading will be (b) greater in Case A and (a) greater in Case B. The apparent weight on the scale will be greater in the direction of the acceleration.