a person is standing on a scale in an elevator that slowing down at a rate of 4m/s/s. the elevator is moving upward. if the persons mass is 80 kg what does the scale read during the period of time that the levator is accelerating?
To find out what the scale reads during the period of acceleration, we need to consider the forces acting on the person in the elevator.
First, let's determine the weight of the person. The weight of an object can be found using the formula:
Weight = mass × acceleration due to gravity
Given that the person's mass is 80 kg and the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s^2, the weight of the person is:
Weight = 80 kg × 9.8 m/s^2 ≈ 784 N
The person's weight is always acting downwards, regardless of the motion of the elevator.
Now, let's consider the forces during the acceleration. As the elevator is slowing down with an acceleration of -4 m/s^2, the net force acting on the person will be:
Net force = (Weight) - (mass × acceleration)
Net force = 784 N - (80 kg × (-4 m/s^2))
Net force = 784 N + 320 N
Net force = 1104 N
Since the person experiences an additional 320 N of force due to the upward acceleration of the elevator, the scale will read a higher value than just the person's weight.
Therefore, the scale will read 1104 N during the period of time that the elevator is accelerating.