Question

A woman weighs 129 lb. If she is standing on a spring scale in an elevator that is traveling downward, but slowing up, the scale will read:___________.
A) more than 129 lb
B) 129 lb
C) less than 129 lb
D) It is impossible to answer this question without knowing the acceleration of the elevator.

Answer 1

Answer:

C) less than 129 lb.

Explanation:

Let the elevator be slowing up with magnitude of a . That means it is accelerating downwards  with magnitude a .

If R be the reaction force

For the elevator is going downwards with acceleration a

mg - R = ma

R = mg - ma

R measures its apparent weight . Spring scale will measure his apparent weight.

So its apparent weight is less than 129 lb .