How does the spring scale read in different elevator scenarios?

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    Elevator Spring
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The discussion revolves around the readings of a spring scale for a woman weighing 58 kg in various elevator scenarios, including constant speeds and accelerations, as well as free fall. The subject area pertains to dynamics and forces, particularly in the context of weight measurement under different conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster expresses confusion regarding the readings of the spring scale during constant upward and downward speeds, while indicating that they find the scenarios involving acceleration and free fall more straightforward. Some participants attempt to clarify the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in these contexts.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the physics principles involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding the effects of acceleration on the scale readings, but there remains a lack of consensus on the original poster's specific questions about constant speed scenarios.

Contextual Notes

The original poster indicates difficulty with specific scenarios, suggesting that they may be operating under certain assumptions or constraints related to their understanding of the concepts involved.

trixid
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What will a spring scale read for the weight of a 58 kg woman in an elevator that moves (a) with a constant upward speed of 6.0 m's, (b) with a constant downward speed of 6.0 m/s, (c) with upward acceleration of 0.33g, (d) with downward acceleration of 0.33g, and (e) in free fall?

I'm having trouble with a and b. (c and d are easy enough because the g is given and e is weightless because it's free fall.) I don't know where to start!
 
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Force equals mass times acceleration. The scale will read the weight of the woman (NOT mass)

plus her mass times acceleration upward.

minus her mass times acceleration downward.

with no acceleration (just constant speed) the scale will read her weight.

In free fall, mass times downward acceleration equals weight so there would be no reading.
 
The balance provides all the tension to the man,R.
That's to say, R-F=net force
 
primarygun said:
The balance provides all the tension to the man,R.
That's to say, R-F=net force

But there was no man!
 

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