Question

Your mass is 50 kg. Suppose you are standing on a scale in an elevator that is approaching a top floor and decreasing its speed at the rate of 3 m/s every second. What would be the reading on the scale?

Answer 1

340 N

Step-by-step explanation:

This is an apparent weight problem

g = 9.8 m/s²

a = 3 m/s²

W-apparent = Normal force of scale applied to you (the reading on the scale)

W-apparent = mg - ma = 50 kg(9.8 m/s² - 3 m/s²) = 340 N

This is why you momentarily feel like you weigh less as the ascending elevator slows down to a stop.