Final answer:
The acceleration of the elevator is calculated using the scale reading and the person's weight. Since the scale reading is lower than the person's weight, the elevator is accelerating downward, and the correct acceleration is approximately 3.13 m/s² downward.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves understanding the physics of motion and forces in an elevator. To determine the acceleration of the elevator, we will use the reading of the scale and the person's mass. The weight of the person is calculated using the gravitational acceleration (g = 9.81 m/s2), which is Weight (W) = mass (m) × gravitational acceleration (g), so W = 60 kg × 9.81 m/s2 = 588 N. The scale reads 400 N, which means the net force acting on the person is less than their weight, indicating that the elevator must be accelerating downward.
Therefore, we set up the equation for net force (Fnet) as the difference between the normal force (scale reading) and the weight of the person: Fnet = ma = W - scale reading. Plugging in the known values: ma = 588 N - 400 N, we get ma = 188 N. Finally, to find the acceleration (a), we rearrange the equation a = Fnet/m, resulting in a = 188 N / 60 kg, which equals approximately 3.13 m/s2 downward.
Therefore, the correct answer is A) 3.13 downward.