Question

Consider the video tutorial you just watched. Suppose that we duplicate this experimental setup in an elevator. What will the spring scale read if the elevator is moving upward at a constant speed?

1) The spring scale will read a higher value than when the elevator is at rest.
2) The spring scale will read a lower value than when the elevator is at rest.
3) The spring scale will read the same value as when the elevator is at rest.
4) The spring scale will not read anything as it is not affected by the elevator's motion.

Answer 1

The spring scale will read the same value as when the elevator is at rest.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the elevator is moving upward at a constant speed, the spring scale will read the same value as when the elevator is at rest. This is because the scale measures the normal force exerted by the floor on the person standing on it, which is equal to their weight in both cases.

Even though the elevator is moving, the person and the scale are essentially in a state of free fall, experiencing weightlessness due to the absence of external forces. As a result, the scale does not register any difference in weight.

Therefore, the correct answer is 3) The spring scale will read the same value as when the elevator is at rest.