Question

A suitcase (mass m = 14 kg) is resting on the floor of an elevator. The part of the suitcase in contact with the floor measures 0.50 m × 0.15 m. The elevator is moving upward with an acceleration of magnitude 1.45 m/s2. What pressure (in excess of atmospheric pressure) is applied to the floor beneath the suitcase?

Answer 1

To calculate the pressure applied to the floor beneath the suitcase, use the formula: Pressure = Force/Area. First, calculate the force using Newton's second law. Next, determine the area in contact with the floor. Finally, substitute the values into the formula to calculate the pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the pressure applied to the floor beneath the suitcase, we need to use the formula:

Pressure = Force/Area

First, we need to calculate the force applied by the suitcase. The force can be calculated using Newton's second law:

Force = mass x acceleration

Next, we need to determine the area in contact with the floor. The area can be calculated by multiplying the length and width of the part of the suitcase in contact with the floor.

Finally, we can substitute the values into the formula to calculate the pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure applied to the floor beneath the suitcase.