Question

A 60.0 kg student is riding in an elevator when it starts accelerating upward at 3.0 m/s2. What is the apparent weight the student feels?

Answer 1

768 N

Step-by-step explanation:

Apparent weight is the Normal force (N) acting on the student by the elevator floor.

N = mg + ma = (60 kg)(9.8 m/s2) + (60 kg)(3.0mm/s2) = 768 N

This is why you feel heavier when you are accelerating UP in an elevator. Try jumping in an elevator accelerating up. It's hard!