When you weigh yourself on good old terra firma (solid ground), your weight is 535 N . In an elevator your apparent weight is 470 N .

Question

What is the magnitude of the elevator's acceleration?



What is the direction of the elevator's acceleration?

Answer 1

Apparent weight is more if elevator is acceleration up

Apparent weight is more if the elevator is accelerating down

As the real weight is 535 N = Mg , So M = 535/g

Apparent weight is 470 N

The elevator is acceleration down

Real weight = Mg

Apparent weight = Mg- Ma , where a= down ward acceration

470 = 535 - Ma

Plug in M= 535/g

470 = 535 - 535/g (a)

(535/g) a = 535-470

= 65

a = 65 (g/535) = 0.121g = 1.2 m/s2 (using g = 9.8m/s2 )

so motion downward and acceleration in downward direction is 1.2 m/s2