AH"Calculate Acceleration & Direction of Elevator with Scale Help | SARAH

  • Thread starter Sar06
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Elevator
In summary, a person standing on a bathroom scale in a stationary elevator will briefly read only 0.72 of their regular weight when the elevator begins to move. The direction of acceleration is downward and the person experiences two forces: the downward force of gravity and the upward force of the scale. The net force is equal to the vector sum of these two forces and is related to the person's acceleration. To calculate the acceleration, one would need to determine the force of gravity, the force provided by the scale, and the net force acting on the person.
  • #1
Sar06
4
0
A person stands on a bathroom scale in a motionless elevator. When the elevator begins to move, the scale briefly reads only 0.72 of the person's regular weight. Calculate the acceleration of the elevator, and find the direction of acceleration.
I know that the direction of acceleration is downward, but I'm not quite sure how to calculate it. I know that F=ma...
It would be much appreciated if someone could point me in the right direction.
Thanks
-SAR
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
no, F is not equal to ma ... the SUM of all Forces is equal to ma .

The Earth pulls down on the person, and the scale surface pushes up on them.
 
  • #3
The scale reads the force exerted on it, which is equal to the upwards force it exerts on the person standing on it. That person has two forces on them: the force of the scale pushing upwards, and the force of gravity pulling downwards. The net force on the person is the vector sum of these two forces.

So, here are the questions:

1. What is the force of gravity on the person?
2. What is the force provided by the scale?
3. What is the net force on the person?
4. How is the net force related to the person's acceleration?
5. What is the person's acceleration?
 

Related to AH"Calculate Acceleration & Direction of Elevator with Scale Help | SARAH

1. What is the elevator problem?

The elevator problem is a commonly used mathematical problem that involves determining the number of floors in a building, given the total number of people and the maximum capacity of an elevator.

2. How do you solve the elevator problem?

To solve the elevator problem, you need to first determine the maximum capacity of the elevator and the total number of people who need to be transported. Then, divide the total number of people by the maximum capacity to get the minimum number of trips needed to transport everyone. Finally, multiply the minimum number of trips by 2 to get the total number of floors in the building.

3. What are some common variations of the elevator problem?

Some common variations of the elevator problem include changing the maximum capacity of the elevator, adding or subtracting a certain number of people, or adding a certain number of floors to the building.

4. What are some strategies for solving the elevator problem?

One strategy for solving the elevator problem is to use algebraic equations to represent the given information and solve for the unknown variable (number of floors). Another strategy is to use a trial and error method, starting with a guess and adjusting it until all the given information is satisfied.

5. Why is the elevator problem important?

The elevator problem is important because it demonstrates the use of mathematical concepts such as division, multiplication, and problem-solving skills. It also has practical applications in real-life situations, such as determining the capacity of an elevator in a building or the number of trips needed to transport a group of people.

Similar threads

Calculating Elevator Acceleration: Solve for F=ma
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
1K
Calculate elevator acceleration using mass
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
3K
Understanding Sign Conventions in Elevator Tension Problems
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
2K
Having a hard time learning Newton's 2nd law
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
393
Forces and Elevators: Free-Body Diagrams and Calculations
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
4K
Forces, elevator, acceleration -- I have the answer, just explain it....
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
11K
Solving the Elevator Problem: Acceleration in Downward Direction?
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
1K
Determine the elevator's acceleration
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
33
Views
3K
How Do You Calculate the Magnitude of Acceleration in an Elevator?
    • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
4K
I Why don't we "fly up" in an accelerating elevator?
    • Mechanics
Replies
11
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top