Question

During the deceleration of an ascending elevator, the normal force on the feet of a passenger is _____ her weight. During the deceleration of a descending elevator, the normal force on the feet of a passenger is _____ her weight.

Answer 1

Answer: Smaller than ; larger than

Explanation:

When the elevator is moving in the upward direction, then the force acting on it is negative in nature because of

N= mg +ma, (g is gravity and a is acceleration)

here ma is negative so the N= mg-ma

Hence, it feels smaller than its original weight.

When the elevator is moving downward , then the force acting will be positive in nature

N= mg+ma,

here ma will be positive so it feels larger the original weight of passenger.