Elevator Physics Questions 2nd period

When an elevator is at rest, the normal force on a person standing inside it is:

• Greater than their weight

• Equal to their weight

• Less than their weight

• Zero

Answer explanation

When the elevator is at rest, the only forces acting on the person are gravity (their weight) and the normal force from the floor. These forces balance out, making the normal force equal to the person’s weight.

If an elevator is accelerating upwards, the apparent weight of a person inside:

• Increases

• Decreases

• Remains the same

• Becomes zero

Answer explanation

When the elevator accelerates upwards, an additional upward force is exerted by the floor to accelerate the person. This increases the normal force, which makes the person feel heavier.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

If an elevator is accelerating downward at 2 m/s², the apparent weight of a 60 kg person inside is closest to:

• 588 N

• 480 N

• 300 N

• 0 N

Answer explanation

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NGSS.HS-PS2-1

What would happen to a person’s apparent weight if an elevator moves at a constant speed upwards?

• Increases

• Decreases

• It stays the same

• It becomes zero

Answer explanation

When moving at a constant speed, there is no acceleration, so the forces are balanced. The normal force is equal to the person’s weight, resulting in no change in apparent weight.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

A person inside an elevator feels weightless. What is the elevator most likely doing?

• Moving upwards at constant speed

• Moving downwards at constant speed

• Accelerating downwards at ggg

• Accelerating upwards

Answer explanation

When the elevator accelerates downwards at the same rate as gravity, the normal force becomes zero, causing the person to feel weightless.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

If an elevator is accelerating upward at 3 m/s², what is the apparent weight of a 50 kg person inside?

• 500 N

• 650 N

• 350 N

• 0 N

Answer explanation

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

If the tension in the cable of an elevator is equal to the weight of the elevator and its contents, the elevator is:

• Moving upward

• Moving downward

• At rest or moving at constant speed

• Accelerating upward

Answer explanation

If the tension matches the total weight, the net force is zero, which means the elevator is either stationary or moving at a constant velocity (no acceleration).

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

When an elevator initially starts moving upwards from rest, the apparent weight of a person inside:

• Decreases momentarily

• Stays the same

• Increases momentarily

• Becomes zero

Answer explanation

As the elevator accelerates upwards, the normal force temporarily increases to overcome inertia, making the person feel heavier.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

What happens to the apparent weight of a person in an elevator that is accelerating downward but not in free fall?

• It equals their actual weight

• It becomes zero

• It decreases but remains greater than zero

• It increases

Answer explanation

Downward acceleration reduces the normal force, so apparent weight is less than actual weight, but still greater than zero.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

Which of the following conditions will make the apparent weight of a person zero in an elevator?

• The elevator moves upward at a constant speed

• • The elevator accelerates downward at ggg

• The elevator accelerates upward at ggg

• The elevator decelerates while moving downward

Answer explanation

When the elevator accelerates downward at the same rate as gravity (ggg), it is in free fall. In this situation, there is no normal force acting on the person from the elevator floor, creating a sensation of weightlessness.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1