A person with a mass weight 400 Newtons stands on a scale on an elevator. What is the scale reading when the elevator is at rest
Answers
When a elevator is at rest, person resultant weight is not effected by any other external force.
(This is due to acceleration is Zero in any direction)
So The scale reads the mass weight of the person.
F = mg
F = mass weight = 400 newtons.
m = mass of the person
g = acceleration due to gravity.
The scale shows 400 newtons. (No change)
Explanation:
When an elevator is at rest then the person is resultant weight is not affected by any other external force. It is because of the acceleration is zero in any direction. Therefore, the mass weight of the person is F = mg where F is equal to mass weight which is equal to 400 newtons. However, the m is equal to mass of the person and g is equal to acceleration due to gravity. Hence, the scale represents 400 newtons and there will be no change.