Final answer:
The scale reading in an elevator depends on whether the elevator is accelerating upwards or moving at a constant speed. During acceleration, the reading is higher than the individual's actual weight; during constant velocity, it reflects the true weight. Excessive readings indicate an unrealistic rate of acceleration for standard elevator motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you're asking about concerns Physics, specifically related to forces and motion within an elevator system. The scenario involves a bathroom scale and how it reads the weight of an individual as the elevator accelerates and moves at constant velocity. Let's delve into understanding the elevator and scale readings.
Firstly, when the elevator accelerates upwards, there is an increase in the normal force, which the scale interprets as an increase in weight. This upward acceleration adds to the gravitational force, thus increasing the force exerted on the scale. Consequently, the scale reading would be greater than the individual's standard weight when still or moving at a constant velocity.
Now, when the elevator reaches a constant upward velocity, the acceleration is zero because the change in velocity over time (a = Δv / Δt) is zero. At this point, the only force acting on the person is gravity, and the scale will read their true weight, which is a force of 735 N for a 75.0-kg individual (since weight W = mass m * acceleration due to gravity g, and g is approximately 9.8 m/s²).
If we consider the provided information for additional problems, it's evident that a scale reading of 1860 N, in an acceleration situation, is significantly higher than one would expect in an elevator. This is due to a very high acceleration rate, which isn't characteristic of standard elevators. It's pointed out that the force experienced (1860 N) would feel more like 418 pounds, indicating a rapid and uncomfortable acceleration much higher than the norm for elevators.