Final answer:
The minimum reading on a scale will occur during scenario (b) where the elevator is in free fall, reading zero due to weightlessness. The maximum reading occurs in scenario (c) where the elevator is accelerating upward, increasing the scale reading above the actual weight.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering a woman standing on a scale in various elevator scenarios, the scale records the force acting on her, which is her apparent weight. Different readings occur based on the elevator's motion due to changes in acceleration.
Analysis of Scenarios
- Elevator stationary: The scale reads her actual weight since there is no acceleration.
- Free fall (elevator cable breaks): The scale would read zero because both the woman and the scale are in free fall, experiencing weightlessness.
- Elevator accelerating upward: The scale reads more than her actual weight because the upward acceleration increases the net force acting on her.
- Elevator accelerating downward: The scale reading is less than her actual weight until reaching a constant velocity, whereby the reading equals her actual weight.
- Elevator moving at constant velocity: The scale reads her actual weight because there is no acceleration, and thus no additional forces besides gravity.
For the minimum reading, this will occur in scenario (b) during free fall, where the scale will record zero. The maximum reading will occur in scenario (c), where the elevator is accelerating upward, and the acceleration adds to the force the woman exerts on the scale.
Conclusion
To summarize, the correct option for the minimum scale reading is (b) free fall, and the maximum reading is during (c) acceleration upward. These scenarios highlight the principles of Newton's laws of motion and how they impact apparent weight