Question

A person standing on the floor of an elevator drops a coin. The coin reaches the floor of the elevator in time t1 if the elevator is stationary and in time t2 if it is moving uniformly. Then
(a) t1 = t2
(b) t1 < t2
(c) t1 > t2
(d) t1 < t2 or t1 > t2 depending on whether the lift is going up or down.

Answer 1

A person standing on the floor of an elevator drops a coin. The coin reaches the floor of the elevator in time t1 if the elevator is stationary and in time t2 if it is moving uniformly. Then t1 = t2.

Explanation:

• When a person standing on the elevator’s floor and drops a coin, the coin reaches the floor in time t1 when the elevator is motionless.
• In time t2, it moves uniformly.  

• When there is a dropping of a coin, there will be a force acting on it, which is gravity and it is same in both the cases. So t1 = t2.

Answer 2

Answer:

A person standing on the floor of an elevator drops a coin. The coin reaches the floor of the elevator in time t1 if the elevator is stationary and in time t2 if it is moving uniformly. Then t1 = t2.

Explanation:

When a person standing on the elevator’s floor and drops a coin, the coin reaches the floor in time t1 when the elevator is motionless.

In time t2, it moves uniformly.  

When there is a dropping of a coin, there will be a force acting on it, which is gravity and it is same in both the cases. So t1 = t2.