In Example 5.8 in the text book, we investigated the apparent weight of a fish in an elevator. Now consider a 72.0 kg man standing on a spring scale in an elevator. Starting from rest, the elevator ascends, attaining its maximum speed of 1.20 m/s in 0.80 s. It travels with this constant speed for the next 5.00 s. The elevator then undergoes a uniform acceleration in the negative y direction for 1.50 s and comes to a rest. What does the spring scale register:

a) before the elevator starts to move,
b) during the first 0.80 s,
c) while the elevator is travelling at constant speed, and
d) during the time interval it is slowing down.

Answers:
a)time, distance and force.
b)speed of 1.20m/s
c)time in seconds
d)force apply by mass and acceleration.

Any clarification or help....

i don't understand..more clarification pleaseee

In Example 5.8 of the textbook, the apparent weight of a fish in an elevator was investigated. Now, let's consider a 72.0 kg man standing on a spring scale in an elevator.

a) Before the elevator starts to move, the spring scale registers the weight of the man, which is given by the formula W = mg, where W is the weight, m is the mass, and g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s^2). So, the spring scale registers a force equal to (72.0 kg)(9.8 m/s^2).

b) During the first 0.80 s, the elevator accelerates and attains its maximum speed of 1.20 m/s. Since the man is also accelerating with the elevator, there is an additional force acting on him called the "apparent weight." The apparent weight is given by the formula W_apparent = mg + ma, where m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and a is the acceleration of the elevator. From the given information, we know the acceleration of the elevator is (1.20 m/s) / (0.80 s). So, the spring scale will register a force equal to (72.0 kg)(9.8 m/s^2) + (72.0 kg)(1.20 m/s) / (0.80 s).

c) While the elevator is traveling at a constant speed, there is no net acceleration acting on the man. Therefore, the spring scale will register the same weight as in part a, which is (72.0 kg)(9.8 m/s^2).

d) During the time interval it is slowing down, the elevator undergoes a uniform acceleration in the negative y direction. The force experienced by the man, and consequently registered by the spring scale, will depend on the mass of the man and the acceleration of the elevator. However, the exact value cannot be determined without additional information about the magnitude of the acceleration.