Elevator Problems

Front

What is weight?

Back

Weight is the force exerted by gravity on an object, calculated as the product of mass and gravitational acceleration (W = m * g).

Front

How do you calculate the apparent weight of a person in an accelerating elevator?

Back

Apparent weight can be calculated using the formula: Apparent Weight = m(g - a) for downward acceleration, where m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²), and a is the acceleration of the elevator.

Front

What is the gravitational acceleration on Earth?

Back

The gravitational acceleration on Earth is approximately 9.81 m/s².

Front

If an elevator accelerates downward, how does it affect the apparent weight of a person inside?

Back

If an elevator accelerates downward, the apparent weight of a person decreases because the acceleration of the elevator reduces the normal force acting on the person.

Front

What is the formula to calculate weight?

Back

Weight (W) = mass (m) × gravitational acceleration (g).

Front

A person with a mass of 50 kg is in an elevator accelerating downward at 1.5 m/s². What is their apparent weight?

Back

Apparent Weight = 50 kg × (9.81 m/s² - 1.5 m/s²) = 415.5 N.

Front

What happens to the scale reading when an elevator accelerates upward?

Back

When an elevator accelerates upward, the scale reading increases because the normal force increases.

Front

What is the normal force in the context of an elevator?

Back

The normal force is the force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it, which can change in an accelerating elevator.

Front

If a 40 kg person is in an elevator accelerating downward at 1.3 m/s², what is the scale reading?

Back

Apparent Weight = 40 kg × (9.81 m/s² - 1.3 m/s²) = 340.4 N.

Front

What is the effect of a downward acceleration of 3.00 m/s² on a person weighing 85.0 kg in an elevator?

Back

Apparent Weight = 85.0 kg × (9.81 m/s² - 3.00 m/s²) = 578 N.