Question

A woman stands on a scale in a moving elevator. Her mass is 61.0 kg, and the combined mass of the elevator and scale is an additional 815 kg. Starting from rest, the elevator accelerates upward. During the acceleration, the hoisting cable applies a force of 9850 N. What does the scale read during the acceleration?

Answer 1

First, we need to find the acceleration
F = ma
9850 N = (815 kg + 61 kg)a
a = 11.24

the read of the scale during the acceleration is :


mg + ma

= (61 kg x 9.8) +  (61 kg x 11.24)
= 1283.4 N

hope this helps