If the same elevator accelerates downwards
with an acceleration of 1.2 m/s
2
, what is the
upward force exerted by the elevator floor on
the passenger?
Answer in units of N
Well, I'm not sure about the exact value of the upward force, but I can tell you one thing - the floor of that elevator better start hitting the gym because it's going to need some serious lifting power!
To determine the upward force exerted by the elevator floor on the passenger, we need to consider the forces acting on the passenger.
When the elevator accelerates downwards with an acceleration of 1.2 m/s^2, the forces acting on the passenger are:
1. The force of gravity (weight): It is exerted downwards and given by the formula F = m × g, where m is the mass of the passenger and g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s^2).
2. The force exerted by the elevator floor: It is exerted upwards and is the force we need to find.
Since the elevator is accelerating downwards, we can assume that it is moving in the upward direction with respect to the passenger. Therefore, the net force experienced by the passenger is the difference between the force of gravity and the force exerted by the elevator floor.
Net force = F_gravity - F_floor
The magnitude of the net force can be calculated using Newton's second law:
Net force = mass × acceleration
Let's assume the mass of the passenger is m = 70 kg.
Net force = m × acceleration
Net force = 70 kg × (1.2 m/s^2)
Net force = 84 N
Since the force exerted by the elevator floor is in the upward direction, its magnitude is equal to the net force experienced by the passenger.
Therefore, the upward force exerted by the elevator floor on the passenger is 84 N.
To find the upward force exerted by the elevator floor on the passenger, we need to use Newton's second law of motion, which states that force is equal to mass times acceleration (F = ma).
In this case, the acceleration is given as 1.2 m/s^2. We need to find the mass of the passenger to calculate the force. The mass is not given in the question, so we need to make some assumptions.
Let's assume the mass of the passenger is 70 kilograms (a typical adult weight). Now we can calculate the force using the formula F = ma:
F = (70 kg) x (1.2 m/s^2)
F = 84 N
Therefore, the upward force exerted by the elevator floor on the passenger is 84 Newtons (N).
if the elevator accelerated at "g", you would be "weightless"
... the elevator acceleration is subtracted from gravity
f = m a = m * (9.8 m/s^2 - 1.2 m/s^2)