Question

An 88 kg worker stands on a bathroom scale in a motionless elevator. When the elevator begins to move, the scale reads 900 N. Find the magnitude and direction of the elevator's acceleration.

Answer 1

Answer:

The magnitude is "3.8 m/s²", in the upward direction.

Explanation:

The given values are:

Mass,

m = 88 kg

Scale reads,

T = 900 N

As we know,

⇒  $N=mg$

On substituting the given values, we get

⇒      $=88\times 9.8$

⇒      $=862.4 \ N$

Now,

⇒  $T=mg-ma$

On substituting the given values in the above equation, we get

⇒  $900=862.4-9.8 a$

On subtracting "862.4" from both sides, we get

⇒  $900-862.4=862.4-9.8 a-862.4$

⇒              $37.6=-9.8a$

⇒                   $a=-\frac{37.6}{9.8}$

⇒                   $a=3.8 \ m/s^2$ (upward direction)