If the elevator has an upward acceleration of 2.60m/s^2 and the balance reads 60.0 N, what is the true weight of the fish?
To determine the true weight of the fish, we need to consider the forces acting on it and apply Newton's second law of motion.
1. Identify the forces:
The fish experiences two forces - its weight (gravitational force) and the normal force (exerted by the elevator surface).
2. Determine the direction of forces:
The weight of an object always acts downward, while the normal force acts perpendicular to the surface it rests on.
3. Apply Newton's second law of motion:
ΣF = m*a, where ΣF represents the net force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration.
In this case, the net force acting on the fish is the difference between the weight and the normal force.
4. Calculate the net force:
ΣF = m*a
Net force = weight - normal force = m*a
Since the balance reads 60.0 N, we can equate the normal force to 60.0 N.
Net force = weight - normal force
m*a = weight - normal force
m*a = weight - 60.0 N
5. Calculate the true weight of the fish:
To find the true weight, we need to rearrange the equation and solve for weight.
weight = m*a + normal force
weight = m*a + 60.0 N
Now, to obtain the true weight of the fish, we need to know the mass of the fish. If you provide the mass, we can plug it into the equation to calculate the answer.
2.60 + mg = 60.0
The weight is mg, so . . .