Question

Zach, whose mass is 80 kg, is in an elevator descending at 10 m/s.The elevator takes 3.0s to brake to a stop at the first floor.a. What is Zach's apparent weight before the elevator startsbraking ?b. What is Zach's apparent wight while the elevator is braking?a precise and step by step solution will help me understandthe problem.. thank you..

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's use Zach's weight F = ma

F = 80 (9.81) = 785 N

at constant speed descending a = 9.81 and Zach's weight is still 785 N

As the elevator is slowing to a stop, Zach's apparent weight will increase

a = change in velocity / change in time = 10 m/s / 3s = 3.33 m/s^2

Zach's APPARENT weight will be F = ma where a = 9.81 + 3.33 m/s^2

F = 80 ( 9.81+3.33) = 1051 N