Question

You are riding in an elevator that is accelerating upward. Suppose you stand on a scale. The reading on the scale is __________.

Answer 1

C) more than your true weight, mg.

Step-by-step explanation:

To understand this exercise, we propose that two vertical forces act, the first is the gravitational force Fg and the other is the normal force N, which is defined as the apparent weight that will mark the balance. If the force is equal to:

F = mxa

Where:

F: force (N)

m: mass (kg)

a: acceleration (m / s²)

And the gravitational force is equal to:

Fg = mxg

The normal force N shown by the balance is given by the following considerations (positive up and negative down), as follows:

N - Fg = mxa

Substituting the equation of Fg:

N - mxg = mxa

Clearing the normal force N:

N = mx (a + g)

From this equation it is concluded that if the elevator goes up, the acceleration value "a" will be positive. In this way, when the elevator goes up, the balance marks a greater value.