What is the Apparent Weight of a Passenger in Free Fall?

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In summary, a box with a 75 kg passenger is launched into the air by a giant rubberband. The passenger's true weight is 735 N, but their apparent weight is 0 N due to being in free fall. This is because the normal force from the box, which is equal to their true weight plus the acceleration due to gravity, is canceled out by the acceleration of the box in free fall. Therefore, the passenger would feel weightless during this motion.
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sona1177
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Homework Statement


A box with a 75 kg passenger inside is launched straight up into the air by a Giant rubberband. After the box has left the rubberband but is still moving upward,

A) what is the passenger's true weight? This was fine it was just w=mg which is 75 * 9.8=735 N

B) what is the passenger's APPARENT weight? I'm thinking the object is in free fall so since the apparent weight equation comes from the magnitude of the contact force (the normal force from the box, which is equal to w + a) that supports the guy then wapparent=w + ay=mg + may=m(g + ay). Since ay=-g for free fall then w apparent = 9.8-9.8=0! So he would feel "weightless"?


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The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
Your approach is correct. He would feel weightless.
 
  • #3
graphene said:
Your approach is correct. He would feel weightless.

Great! Thanks!
 

1. What is weight and how is it different from apparent weight?

Weight is a measure of the force of gravity on an object, usually expressed in units of mass. Apparent weight, on the other hand, is the force perceived by an object due to the combined effects of gravity and other forces, such as acceleration or buoyancy.

2. How does altitude affect weight and apparent weight?

As altitude increases, the distance between an object and the center of the Earth also increases, resulting in a decrease in the force of gravity on the object. This decrease in gravity can lead to a decrease in both weight and apparent weight.

3. What factors can affect an object's apparent weight?

Apart from gravity, an object's apparent weight can also be affected by its acceleration, buoyancy, and the presence of other forces, such as friction or air resistance. For example, objects in free fall will experience a decrease in apparent weight due to the lack of a supporting force.

4. How is apparent weight different on different planets?

The apparent weight of an object can vary on different planets due to variations in their mass and radius, which ultimately affect the strength of gravity. For example, an object on Jupiter will experience a greater apparent weight compared to the same object on Earth due to Jupiter's larger mass and stronger gravity.

5. Can an object have a negative apparent weight?

No, an object cannot have a negative apparent weight. Apparent weight is always a positive value, as it is a measure of the perceived force on an object. However, an object can have a negative weight in certain scenarios, such as when it is accelerating downwards or in a state of free fall.

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