Acceleration and weight question

[alexcc17]

This isn't an equation. Can you please just help with the equation part. It has been 2 hrs and this is incredibly frustrating. The scales aren't moving because he is in the elevator moving at the same speed. How do I solve the question, please please help with that.

 

[lewando]

This isn't an equation. Can you please just help with the equation part. It has been 2 hrs and this is incredibly frustrating. The scales aren't moving because he is in the elevator moving at the same speed. How do I solve the question, please please help with that.

We'll get through this. Stay calm. We are your friends. Put down the butter knife. Being on an elevator is new information. Are we on Earth in this elevator?

 

[alexcc17]

Yes, we are on earth, moving upwards at an acceleration of .9 m/s^2.

 

[NoPoke]

The equation is f=ma

weight = mass x (acceleration due to gravity + additional acceleration from motion)

lbs are awkward

weight in lbs = mass in lbs x acceleration in Earth gravities

weight in the lift going up = 180 x(1 + ? ) lbs

===

and because the question is unclear there would also be the weight an astronaut experiences inside a rocket accelerating at 0.9m/sec/sec or on a moon a little smaller than Earth's moon with a surface gravity of 0.9m/sec/sec.

Along with a decending lift 180x(1-?) lbs and even a car accelerating from the lights where the passenger will feel himself being forced back into the seat but the set of scales on the floor will still show 180lbs.

 

[alexcc17]

This I understand! So... 180*(1.092)=196.56 lbs

 

[NoPoke]

and since the question is unclear how about the 180lb astronaut in the rocket?

 

[alexcc17]

Find the gravities on the moon instead of the Earth and add the acceleration?

 

[NoPoke]

try it and see, tell us the answer you get.

 

[alexcc17]

1.635/.9=1/x... x=.55 gravities...
180*(1+.55)=279 moon pounds?

 

[NoPoke]

astronauts weigh less on the surface of the moon than on the earth.

 

[alexcc17]

How would I solve it?

 

[NoPoke]

If I have a mass of 180lbs then on the surface of the Earth my weight will be 180lbs (mass) x 1 gravity (acceleration) to give 180lbs (force) weight.

Gravity on the surface of the moon is 1/6th that on Earth so now my 180lbs mass feels like a _____ lb weight.